A Joyful Soul

 

 

What is a joyful soul? The joy of the Lord is our strength, Nehemiah 8:10 says. And Jesus tells us to ask Him for things so our joy will be full. And He wants it to remain in us. While He assures that no man can take it from us, don’t think they won’t try and certainly the devil will. Sometimes, it will be a gift we have to stir up, like Timothy was told to do about His gift of the Spirit.

Church is also not just purely entertainment but not just stoic and serious. And yet, it should be pure love and worship. I know what it is like to have lost joy. It’s not a good place to be. It leads to depression and even anger can set in. Temper has to be under self control, and sadness that leads to depression, really does need a boost of the Lord’s joy. Joy is in the Lord. everything else is just trying to be happy or make it through life. God wants us to have the gift of laughter. He even gives holy laughter.

He will give us the oil of joy for mourning and a garment of praise for heaviness, which is a robe of righteousness and deliver us from the things that steal our joy. Remember, Jesus gave it and said not man could take it from us, so we shouldn’t let go of it so easily. The key is keeping our minds and hearts renewed in Him. We should look at beauty, whether in nature or music or poetry, whatever works for you. If it is flowers or a walk, keeping a journal, anything to keep your thought going in the right direction and away from the joy stealers of life.

I would really like to be overjoyed. I have been on occasion, although I have had a lot of things shot down. I have an eye on the enemy’s attack plans. I not only pray for people, but against the devil, who comes to steal (joy), kill and destroy. My Lord is much better and I will bow my knee to Him. He was crucified for us to have life abundantly, and joy unspeakable and full of glory. It is my prayer to both know and walk in that freely and share it with others.

So a joyful soul relies on Jesus for joy, as well as everything else. And a joyful soul can share the love of Jesus and that joy with others. And it is like the living water that we drink, we will thirt for it and have to drink and be filled again and again, but we know who gives life and joy and just where the fountain is. So be beautiful in the joy of the Lord, for He is our joy and our delight and our portion forever.

I’ve told you this, so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11

This post is dedicated to my cousin Deborah on her birthday and she is a joyful soul. Happy Birthday!🎂

Rebecca Jones/ Michael Dam , Unsplash

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