We are in the full throws of the Christmas season and we celebrate the birth of Jesus. There are so many memories that come flooding in reflection of this season – Christmas Eve services, hot chocolate, family, and more. Just like the carol declares, joy to the world the Lord has come! We celebrate the greatest gift, Jesus Christ, our Savior!
Finding Joy
Life can be hard sometimes. Many experience conflict at work, distressed marriages and relationships, financial struggles, and the list goes on. But regardless of what you might be facing this Christmas season you can find joy in Jesus. Jesus is watching and waiting for your heart to turn towards Him. He longs to fill you with His joy!
You can truly sing the words, joy to the world the Lord has come, because it is His joy that can be your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). It’s not strength that you have to muster up, it’s His strength and He wants to give it to you.
When your life is hard will you lean into His joy to find strength?
Keeping Your Joy Alive
Remember the fruit of the Spirit? One of those is joy. A few years ago I was on a flight to somewhere, I don’t remember where I was headed, spending some time with the Lord. He was encouraging me in a few areas and then said something that caught me a little off guard. ”
Lord: “You’ve done a good job culitivate the fruit of the Spirit in your life, but you need to work on joy.”
Me: “Ok”
I didn’t know how to start cultivating joy in my life. I would have already done it if I knew how, but I accepted the Lord’s invitation that day. Two years later I’m still on a journey learning how to grow the fruit of joy in my life, but I’ve made progress.
What can you do today to begin cultivating the fruit of joy in your life? It doesn’t have to be complicated.
True joy to the world will come as believers grow in the fruit of the Spirit!
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