by Debbie Robus

Created on: January 24, 2007   Last Updated: January 16, 2009

When I think of people who are filled with Christian joy, my list is fairly short! That truly amazes me, because I see that so many of us are missing the boat. I don't know if it is the daily struggles of life that drag so many of us down and steal our joy, or if Satan is getting that much stronghold in our lives. I have been a Christian for over 40 years, but I can't say I truly experienced Christian joy until maybe the last decade or so.

Evangelist Joyce Meyer has written an excellent book, "Seven Things That Steal Your Joy." I highly recommend it. She presents seven specific points, including religious legalism, complicating simple issues, and jealousy and envy, and each "joy-stealer" is followed by a chapter that outlines the solution and methods to overcome in this area. This book really helped me to put things into perspective and get a handle on some of my own issues.

I think one of the best ways to keep my "Christian joy tank" filled is to stay in close contact with God... through prayer, Bible study, fellowship with other believers, Christian worship, witnessing to others, Christian music, and service and ministry. By surrounding myself with God's wonders and miracles, His teachings and chances to Him with others, I can't help but be filled with joy.

This has been invaluable to me, particularly, in times of grief and personal loss of loved ones. How can one find joy in the loss of a loved one? The joy is not in knowing that the person has passed away, but rather in knowing that God is still with us, that God is caring for us AND at the same time (hopefully) welcoming your loved one into heaven and His care. The joy is in experiencing the outpouring of love and comfort from others. The joy comes from being able to smile through your tears and share your faith with others... to let them know that you are not defeated and hopeless.

There are plenty of things in this world to make people sad, if we let them. And it isn't wrong to be sad for a time. Scripture tells us in Ecclesiastes that there are seasons for everything. But they are just that... seasons. Christian joy is timeless... it transcends all human experiences. It is Supernaturally fueled and based in the glory and grace of an omnipotent God who loves us beyond anything we can comprehend... a God who loved us enough to sacrifice His own Son in human flesh so that we can be with Him in heaven one day. It is not a *feeling* - it is a condition... it is not a just-for-this-minute experience - it is a state of constant being. And the best part is that it is available to everyone... all you have to do is to tap into it by getting better acquainted with God and learning to make Him the focus of your daily living. I pray that today would be the day that YOU begin to experience a life filled with Christian joy.

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