“It’s amazing that when you look at what you have, instead of what you won’t or don’t have, you usually see that in one form or another you’ve gotten what you wished for. “ Sara Frankl
Did you know that the most repeated command in the Bible is “give thanks?” I had no idea until I read that statement. Knowing that God asks us to “give thanks” in all things really challenged me and I had to ask myself if I had a heart that was overflowing with gratitude and joy so I did some digging in the Scriptures and I thought I would share those with you.
In Colossians 1:9-11 it says, “may you be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so as to walk in a manner fully pleasing of Him, being strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,” What exactly is this joy that is mentioned here?
I read the following in my morning time with the Lord this morning. "Biblical joy is a perpetual gladness of the heart which stems from knowing, experiencing, and trusting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Christian joy is unaffected by outward circumstances. We look at Jesus to understand true joy: “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus knew that the will of God for His life was to suffer the utmost pain by dying on the cross to save us, sinners. Yet, despite Jesus’ excruciating death, he remained joyful, because Jesus understood the supreme glory that his death and resurrection bring God daily.” Annie Harris
Wow! Can you imagine being joyful even as you are being executed on a cross? I don’t know if I could have done the same thing that Jesus did for us.
Jesus had three kinds of joy that are mentioned in the Bible: Abounding joy, abiding joy and abundant joy. This is the same joy Jesus wants us to have. How to we find or have that same kind of joy? We can have that same joy by first surrendering our lives to Him. Then depending on God to see us through and not depending on our own strength. Also, obeying His commands will bring us joy and cause us to rejoice because His joy is in us.
Gratitude in all things is God’s will for us and it’s based on trusting his unfailing love. We shouldn’t base our practice of gratitude on the circumstances of our lives. They can change in a heartbeat. One thing to remember is that our life without joy is meaningless and true joy can only truly be found in Jesus.
Have a blessed and joyful day!
Emily
