We might think a hard, stern expression on the outside is an indication of great strength on the inside. And, sometimes, that's just what we want others to believe when they look at our faces. Actually just the opposite is often true. Often, the harder we appear on the outside, the softer we really are on the inside.
In God’s system, joy on the outside is an indicator of strength on the inside. When we display joy, it says that we recognize that God is in control of everything and that truly all things work together for good.
This recognition allows us to rest in the truth that all of our external circumstances are ultimately temporary. It frees us from the anxiety of not knowing (and not even needing to know) exactly how things will turn out. When we trust completely in God, we can rest assured that however things turn out, we will have the victory because we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ.
We must not ever forget that joy is a fruit of the Spirit. We often perceive joy as a light, trivial thing reserved only for children. However, the presence of joy is actually an indicator of the presence and power of God’s Holy Spirit at work in our lives. Through the presence and power of the Spirit, we are able to bend, not break during tough times. Through the presence and power of the Spirit we are able to smile and laugh even in the midst of sorrow—for we know that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
The presence and power of the joy God gives us through His Holy Spirit (remember it is the Joy of the Lord) point to the seemingly paradoxical combination of child-like wonder and mature faith that enable us to hold on a little while longer when the storms of life are raging and to fully expect God to make a way out of no way.
The absence of joy may be an indicator that, instead of child-like wonder, we are filled with grownup cynicsm. And, instead of mature faith, some of us are so immature in the faith that we readily throw in the towel the minute our faith is tested.
Some of us really need to let go of the negative attitude and sour faces that we have been mistaking as signs of our strength. We think a hard facial expression shows everyone that we are not to be messed with. Actually, a hard expression might be an indicator that the world has already messed with us, to the extent that it’s written all over our faces!
When life is unfair and overwhelming, don’t dwell on it and rehearse negative things over and over in your mind. Pray, ask God for wisdom in responding to the situation, follow those instructions, breathe, and smile. Kirk Franklin says it best, “you look so much better when you smile!”
Life can be challenging, but we simply cannot afford to let a root of bitterness spring up in us and defile the whole person. Instead of letting fear, doubt, anger or bitterness flood your soul, open your heart to the joy of the Lord, and let His joy flood your soul.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
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