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The joy of the Lord is [my] strength.
Nehemiah 8:10 KJ21

Do you ever feel like you are chasing joy?

As if it is elusive, always just beyond your reach?

Well, if Christ is your personal Lord and Savior, you can rest in this:

Joy is attainable because it resides inside of you already.

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22 lists it as evidence of the Holy Spirit within us.

Successful “pursuit” begins in the quiet stillness of being with the Source of all joy.

My life has had ups and downs; intense heartaches, burdens to bear, and obstacles to overcome. I’m not sharing about joy from a life free of struggle.

I’ve learned my joy is not dependent on a neat and tidy life.

Joy wells up within us from the deepest part of our soul, spilling itself all over us and those near us. It sets the tone for our attitude. Joyful hearts alter our perspective. They hone in on God’s goodness.

Joy should be evident in every believer’s life. Are you tapping into your joy? Is your mind trained on looking for the goodness of God?

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit”
Galatians 5:25 NIV

Friends, with Christ’s power living in us, we have access to indescribable Joy!

Think on that truth: let it sink down into the depths of your being. Joy is ours!

Pursue it.

Claim it.

Thrive in it.

Regardless of what life is throwing at you. Train your heart on joy.

How?

Sometimes we may feel trapped in an endless cycle of sorrow and self-pity. It happens. Don’t beat yourself up over where you are if this is you. Instead, start pursuing joy now. Here are a few steps to get you started:

Be still.

Set aside time each day to rest in the presence of God. Focus on Him. Pour out your heart to Him and then sit in silence as He fills your empty, broken places with more of Himself.

Look for the positive.

This requires asking God to make you aware of instantaneous negative thoughts that march through your mind. With each one, stop and replace it with a positive thought.

Find the humor.

Laughter heals. It just does. A woman who can laugh at herself and life will radiate joy.

Focus on gratitude.

There is always the choice to be grateful. Look for the reasons. Praise God for them.

Meditate on Scripture.

Here are a few to get you started:

“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.”
1 Peter 1:8 NIV

“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

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 NIV

Father God, You have laid this on my heart to share, but I know full well that it is a lesson You have prepared for me as well. Thank You for the gift of joy that came with the Holy Spirit at our salvation. Remind us when we fail to let that joy bubble up from within. It’s there Lord, you’ve already given it to us. Help us to make the pursuing of it a habit in our lives. Amen.