JOY

^‘Consider it sheer JOY, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way’. James 1:2-4 MSG

God’s will for our lives is joy in ALL circumstances: “Always be full of joy in the Lord; I say it again, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4NLT.

BUT Father God what about when our precious second daughter with her wonderful husband and three children emigrate from the UK to Australia at the end of March? Where is JOY then?

I am naturally a cup half empty person therefore my default button is misery and complaining so I need to look at all the Word says about this. Surely Father God who lost His Son would not expect me to be full of ‘JOY’ in these circumstances??

I am not talking about happiness which I know comes and goes depending on circumstances - and the whole world wants to be happy! (I am so ‘happy’ with a special cup of coffee and chocolate biscuit – easily pleased!) I am talking about what God calls ‘JOY’! A fruit of His Holy Spirit living in me. That power that raised Jesus from the dead! The same power that gives me confidence and assurance that He alone has all things in His hands. The JOY that works along with love, peace, patience; kindness; goodness, faithfulness; gentleness and self-control, totally supernatural fruit from staying close to Jesus. What a challenge!