When we experience joy in our life we absolutely feel terrific beyond belief. Joy is different than happiness. Being happy and being filled with happiness is also a great feeling. But the difference is happiness usually requires some external event to occur. It makes you very happy when it does, but without that event you emotions remain neutral.
Joy on the other hand is internal. No event is needed. We rely on the love of God. God loved us first, and he sent his Son Jesus to bring us joy when we accept his death on the cross and repent. The Holy Spirit that was given to us by the Father, “But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26)
It is the Holy Spirit living inside of us that will transform our heart, mind, and soul as we surrender our life to the will of God. The Bible tells us that our joy is complete when we do the following, “ Then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. (Philippians 2:2). It’s not our strength, but the Holy Spirit that makes our joy possible.
The Holy Spirit helps us to become more like the mind, the love, and the Spirit of Christ. As we continue to grow in this effort we begin to experience an absolute spiritual joy that is beyond belief. Many of of our martyrs, saints, and spiritual leaders have experienced joy. It is within our grasp also if we pursue joy with the strongest desire, patience, and love. The choice is ours. My prayer and hope is that we choose joy. Love and blessings. Carbie.
The One-Minute Prisoner 