“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
We will never find “joy” in our daily circumstances, we can only find “joy” in our relationship with God our Father! No matter what happens in our lives our joy rests solely on the fact that we are sons and daughters of God and that He loves us unconditionally, showers us with His grace, and He desires a relationship with us.
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11 ESV
Jesus tells us in John 15:11 that He wants us to experience the same joy in ourselves that He has. Joy is a feeling of great delight, joyfulness, happiness, and gladness of heart. It is the feeling we have when we know and serve God. Through the Holy Spirit God transmits this divine quality He has for us into our unique personality. Once we allow this to happen the joy that we outwardly show is God’s joy flowing through us.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 ESV
Psalm 16:11 teaches us that we can find joy in God’s presence. We stay in God’s presence by continually studying God’s Word, seeking Him through His Word, and praying without ceasing. “16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
If we are lacking joy in our lives then there is something lacking in our walk with God our Father. In Colossians 1:11-12 ESV Paul is praying for joy from the Father, “11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”
In James 1:2 ESV tells us to count our joy, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,” Be joyful and happy that God is teaching us, molding us, and shaping us into becoming the person He longs for us to be. As we discover the true meaning of living the Spirit-led life we will long less for the false gratifications we have experienced in the sinful nature we were born with.
We find that joy is directly related to 4 of the other 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Peace, Faith, and Self-Control.
