JOY - Laetitia van Schalkwyk

 I am inviting you to go on a JOYride with me.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines JOY as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.” While the Oxford dictionary defines it as “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.”

Joy is the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptional good or satisfying.

Many years ago, when I was still a single mom of two boys, I was standing at the local Spar waiting for the cashier to finish scanning some groceries.

The next moment she said: “You are always so friendly. You always look like you do not ever have any challenges. I so want what you have.”

I immediately took advantage of the opportunity and said: “I am a single mom of two boys and my husband left me many years ago, BUT I have Christ inside me, and it is because of Him, that I have joy even when I have challenges as well.”

I asked her if she wanted to know more and wanted to meet for coffee during her lunch hour the next day.

She showed up and that day I had the wonderful opportunity of leading her to Christ. Right there, In the coffee shop.

I think you will agree when I say that even when you received confirmation of where God wants you, for a specific season in life, there will also be some disappointments, some painful things.

Life is not always plain sailing. Sometimes it feels more like a giant roller coaster.

But!!! The sooner you discover that fulness of JOY is only found in God, the sooner you will live a joyful life:

Only in God, there is fulness of JOY.

Joy is rooted in who God is.

Joy is not fleeting or based on circumstances.

Worldly possessions, accomplishments, even the people in our lives, are blessings that make us happy and fuel joyfulness.

Joy is found in the depths of my heart.  Yahweh is my source of JOY.

The Bible teaches that the source of all joy is Christ.

The word JOY appears over 100 times in the Old Testament with fifteen different Hebrew words.

There are eight different Greek words translated as JOY in the New Testament.

According to Strong’s Concordance, the Greek word for JOY, “chara” means joy, calm delight, or inner gladness.

Romans 15:13 reads “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Psalms 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

God’s plan from the beginning, the Word made flesh to dwell among us, allowing us to navigate demanding situations in the absence of happiness, while sustaining our joy.

Proverbs 10:28 says “the prospect of the righteous is joy.”

Isaiah 12:6 reads “Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

Synonyms for “Among” is, situated, surrounded, in company or association.

So even amid challenges, by meditating, connecting with Christ in you, seeing yourself in Him or Him in you, Him being your wrap-around presence, you can be situated, surrounded, in company or in association with JOY!

How? By the renewing of your mind.

Sometimes I simply conduct a prophetic action by lifting my hands, like waving the negative thought away from me, then engaging joy inside me.

In our house, “JOY” is a deliberate choice; we laugh a lot. Many things we laugh about, unfortunately cannot be shared on a public platform, but I do believe; for marriage to be a joy, joy must be a choice. Having a good sense of humor is a HUGE blessing in our marriage.

Philippians 4:4-5 TPT says “Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let your joy overflow! And let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near.”

Romans 15:13 TPT reads “Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust Him …. “

Joy is also mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 as one of the fruits of the Spirit.

I want to end with Romans 15:13 “Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in Him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with His super-abundance until you radiate with hope!”

And this is me, Laetitia van Schalkwyk, saying, “Until next time, Shalom.”

Laetitia van Schalkwyk

Glory Realm Ministries