Joy is Strength

What is true joy and how do I get it? Even after I get it, how do I keep true joy? Joy is not a warm happy feeling you are supposed to have now and then when everything is going right. Joy is not a fleeting emotion nor a state of mind. Joy is a real force. Joy is strength.

Nehemiah 8:10b … Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (NKJ)

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice! (NKJ)

Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NKJ)

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (NKJ)

True joy is based off a relationship with God.

Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore, my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him. (NKJ)
To trust in God is to trust in His Word. That is where true joy comes from – you have His Word on it.

Psalm 56:10-11 In God I will praise His word, in the   Lord I will praise His word, 11 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (NKJ)

Joy and fear are diametrically opposed. Fear robs us of joy and joy halts fear. Just as fear must yield to faith, discouragement has to yield to joy.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJ)

Our faith (confidence) in what God has said brings us victory. And victory brings us joy.

1 John 5:1-5 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (NKJ)

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (NKJ)

The greater the Word in you the greater the faith in you and subsequently, the greater the victory which leads to greater joy.

1 Corinthains 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJ)

1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (NKJ)

Stay full of joy by practicing His presence.

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (NKJ)

Jesus wants us to be full of joy.

John 16:23-24 Jesus said, “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (NKJ)

John 15:11 Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (NKJ)

Faith and joy are tied together.

1 Peter 1:6-9 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. (NKJ)
James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (NKJ)

Do not see trials and tests as stumbling blocks. See them as steppingstones to bring you up to a higher level. Whatever circumstances you are facing today, you can be full of joy. You can be strong in the Lord. The Holy Spirit resides within you. Develop that fruit by reading it, speaking it, and believing it. The joy of the Lord is all the strength you need.