John 15:11- These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
The second fruit of the Spirit is Joy (Gal. 5:22) Biblical joy is an inner contentment towards outward circumstances. It’s different from happiness in that happiness depends on what is happening – if good things are happening, we’re happy; if bad things are happening, we’re not happy. Happiness comes and goes, joy is lasting. Happiness cannot last because circumstances are always changing. Joy is a choice to believe that God is going to use every circumstance we go through to accomplish His purposes in our lives.
Joy looks past what is right in front of us to what is to come. Hebrews 12:2 when talking about Jesus, says, “….who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus was looking past the pain of the cross to the purpose of the cross.
John 15:1-17 is talking about abiding in Christ. He says that we need to abide in Christ so that we can be full of joy. Joy comes as we are continually connected to and abiding in Christ. Romans 15:13 says that we can abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit when we have joy.
Choosing joy helps us to depend on God because God is the one who gives joy. Choosing joy helps give us a different perspective on our circumstances because we understand that there is a reason and a purpose for them.
It’s not to say that we’re not going to feel hurt, pain, or sorrow when we go through difficult times. We will. And it’s healthy to grieve when we experience loss. The enemy wants to steal our joy when we go through difficult times, but through the Holy Spirit working in us, we can pray and praise through the pain, we can hope through the hurt, and we can be thankful through the trial.
Continue to read the Word. Continue to go to church. Continue to pray. Continue to worship.
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you”- James 4:8
May God fill us with His Joy!
Many blessings,
Desiree
Pointing to Jesus 
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