Joy Of The Lord Brings Us Hope
If you have been with me for awhile, you will notice that I talk about hope A LOT. This is in part due to the hopelessness I felt wading through the pain of losing a child. It is also in part due to the number of people whose actions show how hopeless they feel. These feeling of hopelessness rob us of a future and destroy our present. We are never hopeless when we have Christ.
If you are feeling hopeless, lean into Christ, he will meet you when you seek him.
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 Romans 15:13
The joy of the Lord does bring us hope and that hope carries us when nothing else can! For more verses on hope check out this series.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Bible tells us that our joy comes by looking ahead. Ahead to life after this one. We dont need to dwell on the pain and suffering in this world because it is not our home.
For more posts on hope, check out this series!
Are You Pursuing Worldly Happiness Or Godly Joy
God wants us to pursue happiness. But not in the same way the world does. Not dependent on circumstances, the people around us, or the things we own. Our human nature tends to lead us away from the very actions and thoughts that will produce lasting joy, and causes us to chase after things that give us fleeting fun and happiness. Most of Ecclesiastes focuses on this very thing.
Since joy is a product of Gods spirit, the short answer is that we will have joy when we have and use His spirit. When we are looking outward to see others needs, studying and putting His words into practice, staying close to Him in daily prayer, and answering our calling to be a reflection of our Father in our day-to-day lives.
And these things we write to you, that your joy may be full
If you want to explore some other biblical principles in our countrys founding documents, I thought this article was interesting as well.
Is Joy A Gift Of The Holy Spirit
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is a biblical term that sums up nine attributes of a person or community living in accord with the Holy Spirit, according to chapter 5 of the Epistle to the Galatians: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
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Bible Verses About Happiness Kjv
Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Proverbs 23:24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
I have only given you 30 Bible verses about happiness and joy in this post. But its pretty easy to find dozens as you study your Bible. As you can see, if youre looking for happiness and joy, all you need to do is open your Bible and look.
We live in a world where everywhere you look there is negativity and hurtfulness. People dont seem to care about one another. They just want to be right, even at the expense of others. Others think its funny to pick on or bully someone who is different than they are. I know that the Lord is disappointed in the world today. He is not surprised, just disappointed.
I recommend that you turn off the TV and open your Bible. Go to the place where you can seek the joy of your salvation. Go to God and to his Word.
If you are a fan of my blog or any of my social media pages, then you know that I am a proponent of happiness, positivity, motivation, random acts of kindness and inspiration.
I believe that all comes from my relationship with the Lord. How else do you think its possible for me to go through quadruple amputations and still have joy in my heart and a smile on my face?
Now its your turn. Where does your joy come from? How do you connect with Jesus to deepen your relationship and build a life with greater joy?
Galatians : 22 23 On Happiness Is A Sign Of The Holy Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control against such things there is no law
Together with peace of the mind, doing good to all men, faithfulness in Christ, and self-control, being joyous is a gift of the holy spirit in your life.
If you believe in Christ, there is no reason to panic or be anxious. He is a friend that is there to help you solve all the problems in his time. So, be glorious and happy knowing that, as a child of the most high God, he knows your problems and will put a smile on your face.
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What Is The Spiritual Difference Between Joy And Happiness
Joy is a belief of the heart, but happiness is determined by external things. According to Theopedia, joy is a state of mind and an orientation of the heart. It is a settled state of contentment, confidence, and hope. It is something or someone that provides a source of happiness.
Merriam-Webster defines joy as the state of happiness or a source or cause of delight. Whereas they define happy as a state of well being and contentment. Its also defined as a pleasurable or satisfying experience.
I basically believe that happiness is a surface level emotion based on external circumstances. I might be happy because the sun is shining. But if all of a sudden the skies turn gray and a storm comes in, my mood could turn so my happiness isnt as great as it was earlier.
Joy is deeper, its an internal emotion that doesnt leave you when times get tough. I have the joy of the Lord and when I am sad because I am in pain, I am comforted by the peace that passes understanding. We may not be happy, but we should always have joy. Does that make sense?
What Gives Away A Fake Smile
In 1862, the French neurologist Guillaume Duchenne published his finding that real and fake smiles are actually accomplished using different muscles. … The orbicularis oculi muscles are not contracted. The skin around the eyes is not pulled in tightly as it is in the first picture. That is the mark of a fake smile.
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True Happiness Is Achieved By Resting Upon The Lord
9. Psalm 144:15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
10. Psalm 68:3 But the godly are happy they rejoice before God and are overcome with joy.
11. Psalm 146:5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God.
12. Proverbs 16:20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
Be Joyful Because God Hears You
What does the Bible say about joy? We have joy because God hears us.
Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
The Bible is full of verses about prayer, Im just going to include this one from 1 John to prove my point about joy.
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
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What Is The Most Inspirational Bible Verse
This question is a tough one because I think it depends on your situation and strengths or weaknesses. However, my personal favorite is Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. This Bible Verse encompasses every single thing you are going through whether its a stressful situation or suffering ailment.. If you are looking for Bible Verses about Strength, Ive got 25 Inspirational Bible Verses to help you choose the perfect one for your particular struggle.
Surrendering To The King
The kingdom of heaven is the experience of His reign in our lives every day. Recognizing our spiritual poverty allows us to surrender to Him as our King. When we are able to do that, we experience true life. He said that if we lose our lives for His sake, we find true life.
That losing of our lives is the act of surrendering to His ways. It is saying, Ive been getting it wrong. My way doesnt work. I need to trust in Your ways. The Bible also calls that repentance. Repentance is not saying I promise Ill do better. No. Its saying, God, I need you to be in charge, because my way simply does not work. It is an admission of spiritual poverty.
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Dont Confuse Happiness With Pleasure
Because neither is happiness the fulfillment of my natural, human passions and desires. In fact, these lead to emptiness, dissatisfaction, and ultimately, misery, after what is described as the passing pleasure of sin is over. Happiness should not be confused with pleasure: enjoyment or satisfaction derived from following ones selfish desires. It is through overcoming these passions and desires the sin in my flesh that I get happiness deep in my spirit.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:19-20. Knowing that something eternal and unfading is awaiting me after a life of faithfulness, even through trials, sorrows, and grief, gives me this deep internal joy that has nothing to do with good feelings. I have an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:4.
Being able to love in a situation that in former times caused offense, bitterness, or wrath brings genuine gladness into the heart.
Being able to be at peace in a situation that in the past would have caused anxiety, fear, and turmoil brings genuine gladness into the heart.
Being able to turn our eyes away from things that used to bind us brings genuine gladness into the heart.
Meditate On Gods Word
Often, the picture of meditation is of someone sitting silently with their legs crossed and eyes closed while they attempt to clear their mind. But the word meditate in the Bible can mean to speak, imagine, or study. You were created to be in a relationship with God. He wants you to speak to Him, and He wants to speak to you. He wants you to use your imagination to enjoy reading His Word and He wants you to study His commands.
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Is There A Biblical Difference Between Joy And Happiness
One of the many discussions people have is about whether one expression is holier than the other.
A lot of believers say that joy is grander than happiness. That happiness is when you focus on a fleeting and worldly feeling, while joy is a posture of your heart rooted in Christ
I, on the other hand, dont see it that tightly. I understand what the far more knowledgable and saved Christians mean. But for me the difference is that I pursue happiness on a daily basis, while joy is found in my overall state of mind.
Im a joyful person that can be unhappy from time to time.
Thankfully, the Bible tells us that joy is a fruit of the spirit. It is a character trait produced by the holy spirit in us, which means that in order to experience real joy we must know Christ and spend time with him. Joy has to be cultivated and sought after even in times that are hard.
Are You Searching For Happiness In All The Wrong Places
Things will never give you true happiness. Stuff is killing us in this world. Things are only obstacles that get in the way of an eternal perspective. Some of the wealthiest people are some of the saddest. You might see them smiling in photos, but wait until they get alone. Things will never fill the loneliness in your heart. It will only keep you longing for more in your pursuit of happiness.
15. Proverbs 27:20 Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied.
16. 1 John 2:16-17 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
17. Luke 12:15 And he said to them, Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for ones life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
18. Ecclesiastes 5:10 Whoever loves money will never be satisfied with money. Whoever loves wealth will never be satisfied with more income. Even this is pointless.
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There Is A Difference Between Happiness And Joy
Happiness is dependent on circumstances, but true joy and true happiness comes from our faith in Jesus Christ. Joy and true happiness is everlasting because the source of it is everlasting.
4. Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
5. Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Wealth Does Not Bring Happiness
6 I have seen another thing in this life that is not fair and is very hard to understand.2 God gives some people great wealth, riches, and honor. They have everything they need and everything they could ever want. But then God does not let them enjoy those things. Some stranger comes and takes everything. This is a very bad and senseless thing.
3 A man might live a long time and have 100 children. But if he is not satisfied with those good things, and if no one remembers him after his death, I say that a baby who dies at birth is better off than that man.4 It is senseless when a baby is born dead. The baby is quickly buried in a dark grave, without even a name.5 The baby never saw the sun and never knew anything. But the baby finds more rest than the man who never enjoyed what God gave him.6 He might live 2000 years. But if he does not enjoy life, then the baby who was born dead has found the easiest way to the same end.
7 People work and work to feed themselves, but they are never satisfied.8 In the same way a wise person is no better than a fool is. It is better to be a poor person who knows how to accept life as it is.9 It is better to be happy with what you have than to always want more and more. Always wanting more and more is useless. It is like trying to catch the wind.
12 Who knows what is best for people during their short life on earth? Their life passes like a shadow. No one can tell them what will happen later.
Footnotes
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We Have Joy Because Our Lord Cannot Be Taken Away
Therefore you now have sorrow but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you John 16:22
True joy cannot be stolen from us. Jesus is talking to the disciples here shortly before his crucifixion. He knew his disciples would be heartbroken at his death, but He saw the bigger picture and tried to encourage them. Jesus understood what emotions his disciples would be experiencing, the doubt and fear, and then the amazing revelation of who the Son of God really is. It is that realization that brings us the joy of the Lord.
Zephaniah 3:17
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38. Proverbs 3:17-18 She will guide you down delightful paths all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her happy are those who hold her tightly.
39. Psalm 128:1-2 A Song of Ascents. How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you.
40. 1 Kings 10:8 Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.
41. Proverbs 3:13-14 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.
42. Romans 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
43. Proverbs 19:8 He who acquires wisdom loves himself one who safeguards understanding will find success.
44. Proverbs 28:14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
Jesus is the answer. Go to Him.
45. Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
46. Psalm 146:5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God.
47. Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
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