8 Facts About the Joy that Comes Only From the Lord

During this pandemic, a lot of us are experiencing boredom and sadness. Worst, some are showing signs of depression (kaya pag may nagchat sayo, wag mo i-seenzone. Baka kailangan lang nya ng makakausap) Even Christians aren't exempted in this kind of feelings or emotions but, just like what we've discussed before regarding Soul Care Routine, we should always have that thought filter for a healthy mind (Philippians 4:8).  Perhaps, you feel as if you have lost your joy; so, how do you get your joy back?

First off, I would just like to emphasize that joy and happiness are two different things altogether. Happiness is the feeling you get when things are going well. There would be times na masaya ka kasi meron kang bagong kotse, or masaya ka kasi na-promote ka sa work. But when those things are being taken away from you, you’ll get disappointed and sad. And that, my friend is happiness. It is based on your circumstances. Joy, on the other hand, is a deep sense of pleasure, delight, gladness and well-being that is not dependent of any life circumstance. It is the sense of delight in God that can cause our heart to smile even if things on the outside seem to be falling apart. Sabi nga sa song,“The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

In all of life’s circumstances it’s valuable for us to ask ourselves, “Am I relying on my happiness, or does my strength come from the joy of the Lord?” Let me share with you facts about joy that comes from the Lord and how you can use them in your everyday life.

#1: Joy is something God can restore

We should always remember that God is an expert in restoring our joy. Naaalala mo pa ba when you got saved? You were filled with joy. That same joy is not only available to you today but is God’s will for your life. Every day, His desire is that we would know His joy in our hearts in such a way that it becomes obvious to people around us… yung talagang nagra-radiate on the outside, ganern!

PSALM 51:12, Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. (ESV)

#2: Joy is found in God’s presence

If you lack joy, make an effort to spend time with God. How do we do that? We pray, we meditate, we listen to worship songs, we write on our journals, we have a quiet time. Pansin nyo? Pag sobrang down kayo tapos makapakinig lang kayo ng worship songs like, “All things are possible”, bawing-bawi agad.

PSALM 16:11, You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (ESV)

#3: Joy is the result of speaking with wisdom

Na-experience nyo na ba yung, you were having a conversation with someone, and suddenly you realized that God had given you wisdom to speak and there was no other explanation other than God was speaking through you? “Ay! Ako yon? No, that was not me. That was God.” God’s desire is that every one of us who walks with Him would speak life-giving words to the people around us. When our words are filled with wisdom, it produces joy.

PROVERBS 15:23, To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!

#4: Joy is produced by righteous hope

What is hope? For the Christian, hope is the anticipation that God will do something good! Kasi meron kang pinapanghawakang promises ni Lord. Hindi ka nagdwe-dwell sa thoughts na, “wala eh. Ganito na lang talaga. Nakaka-sad. Kaka-disappoint. Kaka-discourage.” We should always speak life. God has done good to us through His Son Jesus Christ and He will continue to do good in more ways than we can ever count. Develop the habit of anticipating God’s goodness in your life, and you will have joy! When you feel hopeless in your current situation,  you can always tell to yourself, “He knows His plans for me. To prosper me and not to harm me. To give me hope and a future”.

PROVERBS 10:28, The hope of the righteous brings joy…

#5: Joy is found in answered prayer

Answered prayer brings joy. Pero tandaan rin natin na hindi ka naman magkakaroon ng answered prayer kung hindi ka nagpepray. And you won’t pray as much kung wala kang prayer time. Making time to pray is the key to making room for joy! So iba na ngayon ha. Hindi na PM is the key. Prayer is the key na J

JOHN 16:24, Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Fact #6: Joy is produced by the Holy Spirit

GALATIANS 5:22, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…

One measure of the Spirit’s working in your life is joy. Of course hindi naman makakapagproduce ng fruit like joy ang Holy Spirit if the Holy spirit is not residing in you. If the Spirit is not producing joy in your life, then it’s important to consider that something in your life may, in fact, be blocking the work of the Spirit in you. Ask the Lord to identify that blockage and remove it so that His joy may flow in your heart.

#7: Joy fills our heart as we remember the good things God has done through the people He has placed in our lives

Ako, personally, pag naiisip ko yung mga tao na pinakilala sakin ni Lord, yung mga ginawa nila sakin, yung kung sino sila as a person, it brings me joy. Learn to refuse to focus on the unkind words and hurts that have come to you from other people. Instead, spend your time thanking God for the people who have developed you, encouraged you, served with you, and you will have joy.

#8: Joy comes when we trust the Lord

Placing our trust in God brings joy. We have a God who loves us more than we could ever imagine, a God who is more powerful than we can comprehend, and who has promised to help us if we put our trust in Him. Tiwala lang! You have a purpose in this life and one of those is to bring joy to the people around you. Maximize this opportunity by being a blessing to others.

PSALM 40:4, Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord…

That’s it, folks! I hope God speaks to you today. My encouragement for you is to delight yourself to the Lord always and He will give you the desires of your heart. Let us find joy in every situation, good, bad & everything in between. Remember, it is God’s will for you to experience joy in your heart. God bless!