I have always experienced two emotions in life which I thought were similar: happiness and joy.

However, I have come to understand that they are two totally different state of emotions.

Happiness: I have come to recognize, as an emotion that fluctuates according to my circumstances or mood. This minute I can be happy, the other I could receive some bad news that would alter my whole mood, causing my countenance to change and my happiness to fade.

Joy on the other hand, is a state of being that is not changed, altered, shifted or reversed… it only increases with knowledge, and that is — the knowledge of God. It does not change regardless of my situations or circumstances.

I may fail to express my joy, but that does not mean that His joy has departed from me or has disappeared or changed. This is because joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit, being a wondrous gift of God that is given to all who believe on the Name of the Son of God— Jesus Christ.

It can be affirmatively said therefore, that joy can never be found anywhere else in the world apart from God’s Holy Spirit. This gift of God given freely to them that believe in the name of Jesus Christ.

And this is what the Bible says concerning fullness of joy,

In the presence of God, there is fullness of joy. 

Despite all our circumstances, tribulations, heartaches, disappointments, troubling times, sick seasons, times when we are down, anxious days— in His presence there is fullness of joy. 

God walks with us through every single step in this life, and in His presence there is fullness of joy.

What a great comfort to have in Jesus.

Jesus, when speaking on the subject of His departure to His disciples spoke about the sorrows and joys of the believer. He told them that they would experience sorrows in this world, but it would only be for a short while.

And in the midst of all these sorrows, He would be ever present. He promised that He would never leave them, nor forsake them. A promise given to all His children; a promise that has been solid even to the present time. This hope, this knowledge of God’s presence in all circumstances of life—is a cause to rejoice, to always have joy.

John 16

16 “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.”
17 Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?”
18 They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.”
19 Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’?
20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
21 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.
22 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.
23 “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.

And thus, as children of God, knowing Him, that is, (having the knowledge of His love towards us, His promises for us, and that His presence is ever with us), we can boldly ask anything in His name according to His will and He will hear and answer us.

And you shall receive, that your joy may be full— Jesus.

Therefore, as we yield ourselves to Jesus Christ each day, I pray that God’s joy and peace may fill our lives in every waking and sleeping moment. For surely, this world passes away, but the world to come is solid, sure, and unshakable. May we make this the joy of our hope.

1 Peter 1

6 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,

Wishing you all a lovely day, walking in God’s grace, peace and joy.

♣