The Fruit of Joy

Galatians 5:22-23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Joy and Happiness what is the difference?

Happiness comes from our circumstances.....what is happening around us. What we are feeling or experiencing - Is life going my way". Happiness is a good feeling based on good circumstances....happiness is something to enjoy & celebrate - No doubt. But there are so many moments when life doesn't happen according to our desires. Then what?

This is where Joy comes in. An opportunity for Joy because Joy is so much more than happiness. Joy is described as a quality of life as well as an emotion. Songs of worship illustrate this kind of joy. Joy is something deep within us that celebrates God's character despite the circumstances.

Joy is connected to Hope, to Love, and to a perspective that sees beyond the immediate to the eternal.....the big picture of life.

The fruit of joy is confidence in God. Joy is confidence in God's grace, despite circumstances - despite what happens. Joy is the ability to hold on because we know we are being held up by the One who gives us Joy and Hope and Confidence.

Joy is the conviction that God is in control of every detail of our lives even when those details appear to be out of control.

True Joy is vulnerable. It is about God and His character - what we really believe about Him. The fruit of joy in our lives reveals to us what we believe about God to others who are watching to see how we respond to what happens in our lives.

James 1:2 -" Consider it pure joy, my brothers/sisters, whenever you face trials of many
kinds."
Nehemiah 8:10 - "....for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Psalm 28:7 - "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am
helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."

Psalm 95:1 - "Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation."

Psalm 126:3 - "The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."

Isaiah 58:14 - "then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the
heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Jeremiah 15:16 - "Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the
joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts."

Habakkuk 3:18 - "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation"


1 Thessalonians 2:19 -"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even
you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?"

What the world needs to see are Christ followers walking in the Fruit of Joy in their lives that is rooted in a confidence in God!

Choose Joy!