Joy

Jesus

Others 

Yourself

=JOY!! 

Sometimes as christians or as people in general we can get so stuck in our circumstance and not realize the great gift we have. I am not saying that our problems are never problems or significant because we believe in Jesus because that is not true. The bible tells us we will face trials and persecution in life. Some Christians are facing death. I am saying when we put our faith in Jesus we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and should be renewed and born again. Adam and Eve were so close with God before they sinned. They were living in relationship with Him and could speak to Him and didn't feel sin. They didn't feel the human nature things we do today. Humans were then separated from God. But then because God loves us so much He made it possible for us to live with Him again. Jesus! Jesus died for us and is leading us and loving us. 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2, 3 NIV). God even commands us to feel joy when we face trials. I would say especially when we overcome trials because our testing increases our faith! 

You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. (Isaiah 9:3 NIV). You can feel it when you are truly rejoicing in God and not trying to make yourself be happy or content. There is something that is changed in your heart. And then sometimes you can think oh now that this happened I don't have joy anymore. When I am in Gods word and crazy in love with Him I can just battle through things and not be discouraged by them and just keep going in Christ and still be happy! It's not so that others will look at me and say she is always so happy because I am not. People should not think salvation is always easy or perfect. It brings trials but what matters is that in those trials we shout to The Lord songs of praise! 

The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. (Proverbs 10:28 NIV). 

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8, 9 NIV). We shouldn't need God to bless us like crazy, even though He does, or make our lives perfect just to have joy in Him. We should have joy in Him just because He is a super awesome God no matter what our circumstances are!! 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV). 

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10 NIV). 

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. (Philemon 1:7 NIV). 

In that day you will say: “I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” (Isaiah 12:1-6 NIV). 

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” (Isaiah 25:1, 9 NIV). 

God will give us joy. We don't have to do a certain amount of service hours or marry someone to give us joy. In Him we can trust and obey and receive joy! Desiring and loving God will fill us with joy and ultimately give us the most joy!! God is a wonderful God and a light in our lives. He can literally turn our lives into light! He is so worthy!