It is God's will for you to be filled with joy. Jesus said, "Yes, your joy will overflow" (John 15:11, NLT). Joy comes through doing God's will in Christ. Joy is a relationship, a personal relationship with God in Christ. The Holy Spirit releases joy in our hearts. When people surrender to Jesus as Lord, joy comes as a fruit of that relationship. "So there was great joy in that city" (Acts 8:8, NLT).
There is a difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is conditioned on what happens around us. Joy is something that happens within us. Circumstances around us may be dismal, but the joy of the Lord fills us to victory in all circumstances. Happiness may come from our relationship with others. Joy comes from our relationship with God.
As a believer, you may lose your joy. Sin can rob us from joy temporarily. However, when we confess and turn from our sins, joy quickly returns. Our fellowship with God is restored, and fresh joy confirms it. We may say to God, "Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you" (Psalm 51:12, NLT).
Are you living with God's joy today? Rest assured, that's His will for your life. You know where to find that joy. It comes always and only from God. Live without His joy no longer. Restore your relationship with Him. He will restore your joy. He is the joy of life.
