Words to Grow On

March 13, 2006

“Joy”

by

Ronda Ferreira

Life is full of all sorts of ups and downs.  One minute you’re flying on cloud nine and the next minute you’ve sunk into the dumps.  Maybe you are confused, maybe you’re angry, maybe discouraged.  All you know is that all of a sudden, your joy is gone.

There are a number of circumstances that can leave us joyless.  It could be the loss of a loved one, family problems, work related issues, financial stress, concerns regarding the future, etc.  All of these things can distract us from the life that God wants us to enjoy.

Joy is a deep, lasting,  inner rejoicing that was promised to those who abide in Christ and obey his commandments.  It does not depend on what’s going on around us.  Joy, true joy, comes just from knowing that Jesus Christ has died for your sins and that you have an everlasting home with Him.

It is so easy for Christians to let life’s happenings discourage them.  God’s solution is to focus our attention on the Lord and trust in Him.  Bad things are going to happen to us.  We were never promised a perfect, easy road.  But we were promised the love of our Heavenly Father and the salvation through His Son.  That is the source of true joy.  That is what keeps us joyful in the midst of earthly sorrow and despair.  That is what gives us the hope for the future that God intends for each one of us.