How can I have JOY?

Jesus said: “These things I have spoken to you, that MY JOY may be in you and that YOUR JOY may be full.” (John 15:11)

You may ask: But how can I have JOY when I’m in despair, ill, lonely, or grieving—even facing death? Or when I am going through some of the triple “A’s”—ADVERSITY, AFFLICTION, and feelings of ABANDONMENT? Or a fourth “A”—the increasing limitations and aggravations of AGING?

Yes, I can because it is not my JOY that I conjure up; it is an impartation of Jesus’ supernatural JOY. You and I can experience such JOY no matter how we feel physically, mentally, or emotionally, or what our circumstances are.

Jesus experienced JOY when facing the most extreme odds and while enduring suffering, humiliation, rejection and death on the cross “…for the JOY that was set before Him.” (Hebrews 12:2)

How does your situation compare with His? Can it be worse? Are you weak? “The JOY of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

There are hundreds of verses about JOY in the Scriptures. I list only a few below. Look them up and mediate on JOY for your circumstances.

1Chronicles 15:16

Psalms 126:5; 19:8

Proverbs 17:22

Matt. 2:10; 5:12; 25:21

Luke 15:7, 10

Acts 8:39

Romans 14:17; 12:12, 15

Galatians 5:22

Philippians 2:2; 3:1; 4:4

2 Corinthians 6:10

1 Thessalonians 5:16; 3:9

James 1:2

1 Peter 1:6, 8; 4:13

1 John 1:4; 2 John 12; 3 John 4

Jude 1:24

Revelation 19:7

Surprise! GOD also has JOY over you! “Your God…will exult over you with JOY…He will rejoice over you with shouts of JOY.” (Zephaniah 3:17 and Isaiah 62:5)

The Scriptures tell us that angels get all excited about your repentance, and there is JOY in heaven! (Luke 15:7 and 10) The Holy Spirit is the One to make the JOY of the Lord real to you. “The fruit of the Spirit is…JOY…” (Galatians 5)