Just a quick thought about joy. One thing God has programmed into me is a strong desire for joy and also the ability to experience it. Some people do not experience joy as a Christian and at times I think “what is their problem?” “How come they can’t get there?” After I confess my sin of pride and judging and get back to a little humility, the question comes to me. Okay, then how come I am experiencing it? I will not try to presume why others don’t. I will not try to imagine the pain of other people’s lives. If my habit of experiencing joy helps anyone, or improves their ability to experience joy, I would be honored. So here are a few realities that I know God has used to bring me joy.

1) My parents loved me unconditionally! Wow, that probably is a huge part of the ease at which I experience joy. I can honestly say I have never experienced a moment in my life when a human being has not loved me. Not everyone has had this gift of God.

2) I was saved from my sin at the age of 13. From the age of 0-12 I was in the church, prayed to God, learned about Jesus, and enjoyed church life. From age 13 until now (I am 37 this year) I have the Holy Spirit’s assurance in my soul that God exists, that He has saved me of my sins (past, present, and future), and that I will experience eternal life with Him. The future for me will only get better as I grow in my love for Him, as I experience more of His love for me, and as I will eventually be in the presence of God in the way He promises His followers.

3) God has already proven His love for me and nothing that happens will change that. If evil forces hurt or kill me, I will gain eternal life. If everyone turns on me, God never will. If I experience defeat, trials, crises, or any other negative thing, the cross that Christ died on for me never changes. God does not have to prove His love for me. His creation of me to be able to live, and then His sending His Son to die for me on the cross is enough for me to always look at life and His plan and think the thought-God is still loving, God is good, He knows what He is doing.

4) I believe in the absolute Sovereignty of God. For me this is huge! This is a big joy-producer for me because it helps me to look at the good and the bad, the evil and the divine as all part of God’s permissive will, and His perfect will. If Satan had to ask permission to mess with Job, and if Satan could not thwart God’s plan of redemption on the cross, then God is supreme. Remember, He has already proven His love for me, so what is left is for me to trust in His plan and will as always working out His purposes. No accidents, no luck, no chance, only God’s absolute sovereignty.

Take Away–You can not go back in time and have people love you unconditionally. But you can, by the power of Christ, provide that for your family, friends, and others. And, you can be saved! Christ offers an open invitation to the world in His Gospel saying “I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). What is left is to take some time and search words like Sovereign, supreme, Most High, and to research “God’s Will,” “God’s plan/purpose,” and anything that the bible or a commentary, bible dictionary, or other Bible tool offers. Well, I guess there is actually one more thing. Believe what you read! Hope you have a more enjoyable life!