Hello Heartbeats! Hope you had a great week. So last week we talked about love, the first fruit of the spirit. This week we’ll dive right into the next one, joy. Joy is the supernatural power in your life that gives you the ability to overcome anything. Joy isn’t based on what’s going on on the outside, but wants going on on the inside. So it doesn’t matter, if I get the house or I don’t get the house. I still have joy. If I get the promotion, or I don’t get the promotion. I still have joy. Joy is a choice I make. It’s an attitude, the way I carry myself. People often times mistake happiness as joy. Happiness happens to us or is caused by an event or outside source. When I was younger my cousin let me drive her 5 series BMW for a week while she was on vacation. That bought happiness to my life. But it was temporary. Joy on the other hand is permanent. Remember it’s on the inside. Now a little older, the mere mention of Jesus, brings joy to my life. Much more fulfillment than a car ever could. Joy can’t be shaken. You remember the lyrics of the old song. This joy I have the world didn’t give it to me and the world can’t take it away. Why? Because joy is based on the inward. You can’t take what’s on the inside of me. You can hurt my heart, but you can’t take my heart. It’s on the inside. Know this, joy is found wherever love is…. And where do I find love? I find love in God because God is love. So the love of God gives me access to joy, the ability to overcome anything. Hallelujah! This is why Jesus said he has spoken that His joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full (John 15:11). When you’re full of joy, you can overcome any and everything. Confess: God wants me whole and I’m getting whole by the minute! Next week, peace.
