The Week That Was Series 11 - Explosive Joy

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10 KJV)

I received the inspiration to write the week that was series today from a simple question asked by my friend and fellow blogger Christopher Jennings Penders on his latest blog post entitled "What Brings You Joy?"  I must admit that the question took me by surprise. Initially, I did not know how to respond to it, because as much as I hate to admit, it's not something I've thought about in recent times of what brings me joy.

But in all honesty, if I say that I am happy, does that mean I have joy? Does joy depend on our circumstances? Can you think of one moment this past week where it must have felt like hell breaking loose in your life, yet you said after all that you are going through, you still have joy? Can one be so full of joy it can be described as explosive? What did Jesus teach?


Here is an excerpt from Chris' article that seem to suggest some of the answers that we seek: "Everything is working out just as it should; and the sooner we all realize that, the sooner we understand that there is a Divinity watching over us, the better off we will all be, the more joy we will be surrounded by."

More from Empowerment Moments Blog: Just Laugh For the Joy Of It

A reasonable assumption of joy should therefore be this - whatever circumstance or situation that you find yourself in at the present moment, you have joy - joy in knowing that because God (Divinity) is watching over you, it's going to work out just as He planned it, and it's for your good.

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You can safely concede that joy is a state of mind. It can either be a present or futuristic state of mind and that no matter what is going on, the more joy you will be filled with because you trust God (Divinity) that all things will work in your favor and for His glory.

So like my friend Chris, I can boldly say, it brings me joy knowing that my life is exactly where it is supposed to be, knowing that I am watched over by the Almighty God, that my life is mapped out just the way God orchestrated it to be.

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at his right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16:11) 

In my searching of the scriptures, I also found out that unlike happiness, joy is NOT dependent upon our circumstance. The psalmist David was able to find joy in the Lord even in the midst of his many trials. So did the Apostle Paul when he said:

"I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. IN any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret to facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4: 12-13) 

Their disposition was simple. That is, our time and season are in the hands of God. He knows the beginning, the in between (process) and the end (expected outcome). The more that we delight ourselves in Him, the more joy that we have. Making time to spend quality time in His presence, brings explosive joy. All of life's problems seem small and insignificant in God's presence and you are filled with joy to the point of overflowing.

More From The Week That Was Series [HERE]

Your joy comes from trusting God to protect and to lead you. You have nothing then to worry about by choosing to surrender everything to Him.

In regards to what Jesus taught the disciples - He told them the way to abide in Him is to keep His commandments. The result..."that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:11b)

My final exaltation is this: In spite of all that I have been through this week past, I still have joy! I still have peace and I still have happiness!

So what about you today? What brings you joy? Is your joy full?

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