It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at my house. Our Christmas tree is up. We have a few decorations around. It truly is my favorite time of the year. Not only does this time come with the excitement of presents and family time, but more importantly, it is the time in which we remember one of the most important stories in the Bible. In the coming weeks, I want to talk about some of the most important gifts God has given us.

            The first gift I want to talk about is joy. This is different from happiness. Happiness is dictated by our circumstances. It’s how we feel based on what is going on around us. Whereas joy is something deeper that comes from our relationship to God. The best way to describe it is like that sense of peace you feel despite your circumstances. Joy is one of the fruits of the spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23

            The deeper my relationship with God is, the more and more I see the fruits of the Spirit in my life. Joy comes from knowing that all the blessings in my life come from the one true God. And even when things are hard and the walls feel like they are closing in, joy comes from knowing that God is in control and that He is taking care of me. I may not know the answers to life’s most difficult questions, but I live my life in joy knowing that the one who has the answers reigns over all. God is the source of true joy.

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,” – 1 Peter 1:6-8

            Don’t let the devil take away your joy. He does this by putting doubt in your mind. He makes you doubt God’s goodness and strength. He makes you doubt God’s power and love. The devil takes your focus off of God and puts it on anything and everything else. Haven’t you noticed that when you are so focused on anything but God, you can’t seem to find joy or even happiness anymore? That is what the devil wants. The more we focus on our troubles, on materialistic things, or even on life’s unanswered questions, we feel miserable. Why? Because life without God is empty.

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” – Romans 8:5-6

            Therefore, if you are seeking joy in your life, seek God. He is the only one who can give you that joy you so desperately seek. In Him not only do you find the fruits of the Spirit, but you find meaning, purpose, and a zest for life you never knew you could have. Joy is one of the many gifts that He has for you. Trust in Him, have faith in Him, and He will give you everything you need. Where once you felt weak and scared, now you will know strength. Where once you felt anger and hatred, now you will know love and peace. Where once you felt empty, now you will be filled. Where once you felt defeated and hopeless, now you will know hope. Where once you felt sad, now you will know joy.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13