What Does Joy Feel Like?
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6
Emotions can run our lives if we let them. We feel everything. But we know that sometimes being joyful or having joy is a choice we make even when we don't feel good. When that happens, it becomes less of an emotion and more of an attitude.
What does true joy feel like? We may not feel it. It can manifest as contentment or certain calmness. It is a certainty that all is well with our souls or a determination to have faith when all around us is falling apart.
Outwardly when things are obviously bad and people around us are aware of our struggles, how does our joy from the Lord witness to them?
The apostles were able to show joy even in chains. Were they feeling it or do we put too much emphasis on feelings? They knew without a doubt that they were where God wanted them to be. They knew that their suffering meant that they were doing something right for God and the world hating them, was exactly as it should be. That certainty is what joy feels like.
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15
When we have nothing to look forward to and our prayers seem to go unanswered, our faith may waiver. We know that God is still there and that life doesn't always go smoothly. Waiting on the Lord to make us happy is not the way to joy. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that we can seek and we can choose, remembering that joy is not always a feeling but an attitude of trust.
Our feelings of joy slip away but we can't let our determination to have joy be lost. Continuing to cry out to God and ask why is understandable and can even be helpful as we grow in faith. The more we communicate with God and share our burdens with other Christians, though we may not feel joy, the feelings of contentment and faith will strengthen, and that IS joy.
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Joy can be an emotion but it can also be an attitude, a choice, an inner certainty, or even a hope that grows into certainty as we mature as Christians.
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
Beginning this journey of accepting that joy is not always felt, can be difficult. All of our wondering, waiting, wishing, and wanting can grow into the inner faith that produces joy. Continuing on with God as the center of our lives will bear this fruit.
Emotions can run our lives if we let them. We feel everything. But we know that sometimes being joyful or having joy is a choice we make even when we don't feel good. When that happens, it becomes less of an emotion and more of an attitude.
What does true joy feel like? We may not feel it. It can manifest as contentment or certain calmness. It is a certainty that all is well with our souls or a determination to have faith when all around us is falling apart.
Outwardly when things are obviously bad and people around us are aware of our struggles, how does our joy from the Lord witness to them?
The apostles were able to show joy even in chains. Were they feeling it or do we put too much emphasis on feelings? They knew without a doubt that they were where God wanted them to be. They knew that their suffering meant that they were doing something right for God and the world hating them, was exactly as it should be. That certainty is what joy feels like.
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15
When we have nothing to look forward to and our prayers seem to go unanswered, our faith may waiver. We know that God is still there and that life doesn't always go smoothly. Waiting on the Lord to make us happy is not the way to joy. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that we can seek and we can choose, remembering that joy is not always a feeling but an attitude of trust.
Our feelings of joy slip away but we can't let our determination to have joy be lost. Continuing to cry out to God and ask why is understandable and can even be helpful as we grow in faith. The more we communicate with God and share our burdens with other Christians, though we may not feel joy, the feelings of contentment and faith will strengthen, and that IS joy.
Joy can be an emotion but it can also be an attitude, a choice, an inner certainty, or even a hope that grows into certainty as we mature as Christians.
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
Beginning this journey of accepting that joy is not always felt, can be difficult. All of our wondering, waiting, wishing, and wanting can grow into the inner faith that produces joy. Continuing on with God as the center of our lives will bear this fruit.
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