Do you remember the first few months of the Pandemic? We had stepped out of our routine, our “normal,” and were left feeling unsettled and off balance. But we still had to eat. That’s when this happened:

There I was, standing in the canned tomato section of Haggen. I became aware of an emotion that I couldn’t identify. Then it hit me–it was JOY! In the grocery store during this strange time I found my heart suddenly flooded with joy!

I realized it flowed from the truth that the Lord was with me, giving me peace that passes understanding. And that led to this inexplicable joy (see Phil 4:4-7).

 I bounced my way to the checkout stand with a smile on my face. For the rest of the day the glow of this gift in my heart continued to warm me.

The experience was a visceral reminder that God is with us. He is still fulfilling his promises in our lives. It is not because of how much we deserve it but because of his great love.

Happiness depends on our circumstances. We may exude happiness when we are on a coffee date with a dear friend. But when we return home to a sink full of dirty dishes, bills to pay, and a headache, the happiness disappears. Our circumstances dictate our happiness.

But joy? This is a gift from God himself. Paul includes it in his list of the fruit of the Spirit (see Gal 5:22-23). It is not our efforts that produce this fruit, including joy, but the Holy Spirit who does as we yield ourselves to him.

David tells us that “the precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart” (Ps 19:8). When your joy tank is low, perhaps you have not been in the Scripture. You will find joy when you see God at work in the world through the Bible. Allow him to fill your tank with his Word.

 

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen

Jude 24-25

Joy to you,
Ginger