Joy, the great heart healer and mind protector.  

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 15:13 NIV

A good friend, Pastor and spiritual mentor recently sent me a short video of John Piper discussing Psalm 51 and the power of joy.  He sent this to me because he knows that I often write about joy and that I believe wholeheartedly in the spiritual truth of joy and the metaphysical  impact of joy.  

I recently completed writing a book whose structure revolves around Galatians 5:22-23, the Fruits of the Spirit.  As I wrote, it became clear to me that of the nine attributes of fruit from the Spirit, it was not just random placement but prioritization of joy coming after love before peace.  The recognition that joy cannot exist without love and peace not truly experienced without joy was an amazing revelation to my limited mind.

We simply cannot experience the joy that comes in the morning, without the love that we were instructed toward the only God and our neighbor as was outlined numerous times throughout the Bible, and concisely affirmed by Jesus to those trying to trip him up.  “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:37-40 NIV

As we all know, there has direct correlation between physical healing and one’s mental state.  Zig Ziglar said it really well, “we all need a daily check up from the neck up to avoid stinkin’ thinkin’ which ultimately leads to the hardening of attitudes.”  When we allow joy to invade our hearts, minds, actions, life, we remove the hardening of the attitudes by replacing fruitless thinking with the hope, acceptance and trust of lives surrender to Christ through faith and understanding.

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”  Proverbs 17:22 NIV

The truth is as I have gotten older, I simply do not want to be around people who don’t emit joy.  Life’s short and our purpose too important to wallow in the travails of an Eeyore, from Winnie the Pooh, life approach.  Eeyore’s famous Joy sucking quotes including among many “If it is a good morning, which I doubt” and “The sky has finally fallen.  Always knew it would.”  We are forgiven through the grace and mercy of a benevolent God whose love never ceases.  Whose gifts are endless and whose patience without measure.  The joy that results from this assurance should be boundless and without restraint.  Tell someone today that the storms of life are marvelous gifts that result in new growth and greater purpose.  

How do you respond to rain?  Another day of mud, umbrellas, wet shoes and footprints tracked in the house?  Or refreshed air, watered earth resulting in greener grass, more vibrant flowers, the refilling of our life-dependent water table.  Life’s greatest joy always follows a life that loves and precedes the peace that follows the storm.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.”  James 1:2 NIV

When life gives you lemons, make lemon meringue pie, lemonade, lemon cookies (Ham’N Goodies Knoxville) or plant their seeds and grow trees that form a business focused on lemon requiring products.  Find the joy in the lemon sitting in front of you.  Deliver the joy that life’s lemons can and will produce if only you let them.  

I love and often sing to our kids the song, “Joy, Joy, Joy.”  Simple, life giving, purpose affirming, approach defining words written for children, too often lost by us in adulthood.  Today accept joy.  Recognize the love that is all around you, given by a Heavenly Father whose mercies surround you and are delivered by the Spirit that invades you.  You were created to be the example of hope that boundless joy delivers.

“I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart

Where?

Down in my heart!

Where?

Down in my heart!

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart

Down in my heart to stay”. Composer Unknown – I know Who put this in the composer’s heart.

“Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”  John 16:24 NIV

You’ve got this.