Do you have joy like a fountain? Or has your well all dried up? Are you able to follow the Apostle Paul’s advice, “Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, keep being joyful…” – a Joyful Jenny paraphrase of Philippians 3:1.
No one likes to take advice from someone who cannot relate to all you may have been through or are currently going through. However, Paul encountered much adversity and suffered many hardships all while serving the Lord, including the following and much more: being imprisoned, 5 times whipped with 39 lashes, 3 times beaten with rods, robbed, mistreated and misunderstood by his own people and others, experiencing broken friendships, and often not having enough food to eat – and all while faithfully serving God! Still, Paul kept sharing the joyful message, “Rejoice in the Lord always!”
Again, along with Paul, Joyful Jenny says, “Choose JOY no matter what!”
Pain is inevitable, but misery is optional. We cannot avoid pain, but we can avoid joy. Tim Hansel
Do you have joy no matter what is happening to you?
Do you have joy no matter what is going on around you?
This is one of the messages God has given me in the midst of life’s trials and messiness.
Some people think joy is the absence of pain. It’s not. Often, those whose lives are filled with much sorrow and many challenges experience the most joy.
I’ve cried enough tears, so don’t expect me to apologize for my joy. Joyful Jenny
In God’s presence is fullness of JOY!
Jesus told us the things He told us in His Word SO THAT our JOY WOULD OVERFLOW. Paul reminds us to “be joyful in the Lord always.” Many are unaware or have forgotten that to be continually joyful is part of God’s will for us who belong to the Lord.*
Okay, so I realize even sharing the words of our Savior Jesus and powerful Paul will not automatically make us oh so joyful.
Joyful Jenny always gets this right and is your perfect joyful guide. I am always bright and cheery Joyful Jenny – haha! NOT! The true joy hero is the Apostle Paul, so only follow me when I am successful at imitating Paul y’all. Who even comes close to enduring Paul’s many trials? Continual pressures and painful scenarios are just helping joyless Jenny to die and Joyful Jenny to arise! Over the last few years especially, God has been bringing a restoration of joy in my life personally. Birthed out of a desire to obey and a desperation to live joyful and free, I keep choosing to press more and more into God’s grace. As I do, God’s Spirit is empowering me to live out my new overcoming name and identity of Joyful Jenny.
The joy of the Lord is our strength! This is one of the reasons the enemy is continually attempting to steal our joy.
Grace is the empowerment of God’s Spirit which enables us to live out our God-given identity as the victorious, joyful overcomers we are all called to be!
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit and we can only have joy no matter what happens as we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Help us, Holy Spirit. A fresh baptism of Holy Spirit fire – an encounter that empowers is needed for joy to be our strength each and everyday!
*See Psalm 16:11; John 15:11; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22; Nehemiah 8:10; John 10:10; Romans 8:37
Here’s what helps joyless Jenny to die and Joyful Jenny to arise:
- More time in God’s Word (Psalm 119:1-2);
- more time praising and worshiping God throughout my day (Psalm 34:1);
- speaking God’s Word and His promises out loud to hear them myself (Proverbs 18:22);
- casting off worry by praying about every single thing that even attempts to bring worry and fear (Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 5:7);
- and getting together with friends who are traveling the same journey of faith for encouragement and support (you know that small group and church community thing works really well – Acts 1:14).
The SOURCE of true JOY is Jesus.
The joy that is birthed and flows from God’s Spirit is not predicated on any circumstance or material possession, but instead is ONLY found in the abiding presence of Jesus.
Lord I need You More, If I am to be filled with Your JOY! May the joy of our salvation be restored unto us! (Psalm 51:12)
WHAT TO SAY FOR YOUR JOY FULL DAY!:
- THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE & I WILL BE JOYFUL AND GLAD IN IT! (Psalm 118:24)
- I AM FULL OF JOY, I PRAY ALL THE TIME & I AM THANKFUL IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, BECAUSE THIS IS GOD’S WILL FOR ME! (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
- THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH! (Nehemiah 8:10)
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so and speak JOYfully today!
May you walk joyfully in His will on this joyful day He has made and may His joyful presence be your strength for today. Whatever occurs, may His JOY be yours!
MAY THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY! Joy like a fountain – let it flow!
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