Christmas Joy
Are you experiencing joy in your life? As Christians we often sing about joy. “Joy to the World” is a Christmas favorite of mine.
I remember as a child I sang a song that went something like this:
“I have the joy, joy, joy, joy …down in my heart.
Down in my heart. Down in my heart.
I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.
Down in my heart to stay.”
How do you get this joy down in your heart to stay? Is it dependent on your day to day circumstances? When life is good, it’s easy to be joyful. But what happens if:
- Your husband just lost his job
- You’ve just been told you have terminal cancer
- Your aging parents are requiring more and more help from you
- Your teenager is acting out and becoming rebellious
Can you still have that joy?
As long as we live on this earth, we will continue to experience difficulties and challenges.
As believers we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. And because of that, we know the end of the story.
Jesus has won … He is the victor!
He conquered death on the cross when He rose again.
As believers we have the assurance that this isn’t our permanent home. I love to say I’m just passing through.
I was at a luncheon with a group of Christian women and we were each discussing our prayer requests. As we listened to each other, someone mentioned how wonderful it will be when we are in heaven and we won’t have to deal with all of these concerns. I added that we will probably look back at our lives and think “why oh why did I get so upset over those things”. Life is so fleeting and then we have eternity with God.
I think we need to keep an eternal perspective in mind. Although I may have daily challenges, I do know my eternal destiny and for that I am so grateful.
I can experience His joy and peace …as I trust and obey God.
May you experience His joy this Christmas and every day.
Merry Christmas,
Thanks for sharing. Jesus is my joy.
Great reminder, Debbie.
Joy is one of those attributes that I think is hard for most of us to truly grasp because we are so finite and influenced by the happenings of the moment. (Or at least it is for me.) It’s a true discipline to develop a lifestyle of joy. I actually think it’s interwoven with thankfulness and peace. It’s hard to one without the other.
Have a blessed weekend!
Romans 15:13 is one of my favorite scripture…because 5 years ago I was in a situation that could have easily stolen my joy but that scripture gave me wings of FAITH. Thanks for sharing this. God bless and Merry Christmas
Awesome! It is so possible to have joy even in the midst of trials and struggles, and I totally praise God for that. So many years, I lived IN my emotions and in depression and God has totally renewed my mind and heart and soul. I have joy for the first time in a very long time! Keep writing for Jesus! Awesome message!
Debbie,
I think you’re right, some day we’ll wonder why we worried about the things we do in our time now. Our human minds can’t even comprehend how great that will be not to have those cares and worries!
Merry Christmas friend,
Bethany
You are right, Debbie. It is not easy to have joy when we look at some of our circumstances. What a great reminder that JOY truly comes from deep down…