"Go forth into the busy world and love it. Interest yourself in its life; mingle kindly with its joys and sorrows." Ralph Waldo Emerson  

Three little letters.  JOY.  What is joy?  When does it come?  What does it look like?  

The word joy is used over 100 times in the Bible.  It means an emotion evoked by well-being, calmness, or inner gladness.

 
As we shall see it is an inward peace that is not affected by outward circumstances.  

At the moment we are living in times that are tough to see and times that are disheartening.  One of the first verses that came to me was:  God gives us the oil of joy for mourning.  Just why does He use the word oil.  Oil is used to make something run smoothly.  It is also used to soothe an injury or hurt.  As we seek Him in difficult circumstances the Holy Spirit applies that comfort and peace to our souls.  He gives us inward joy knowing He surrounds us in His loving arms. 

In tough times it is also time to remember who we are and why we are here.  We are His temple here on earth, we are His children, we are set free, and heirs of all that He has.  No circumstance or situation can remove us from who we are.  He delights in us.  What joy fills our hearts as we rejoice in the lover of our soul.  In His presence is fullness of joy. 

Let us look at Jesus as He approached the final week of His earthly life.  What was He thinking?  The Bible says that because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross.   He knew want was coming, but He knew His purpose.  He knew the outcome of the horrors He faced and He had joy. 

Our joy in life comes not from things like a new house or a new car, but His presence and purpose in us.  Loving Him and others is our purpose and is the only thing that gives us true joy. 

So know who you are and the purpose you are here on the earth.  
Psalm 16:11

He will show me the path of life; in His presence is fullness of JOY; at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. 
Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the JOY that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is sit down at the right hand of God

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God has a purpose behind every problem. He uses circumstances to develop our character. In fact, he depends more on circumstances to make us like Jesus than he depends on our reading the Bible. - Rick Warren 

Meaning of circumstance, a fact or condition connected with or relevant to an event or action:

The word circumstance appears 8 times in the Bible. 

Have you ever been asked to love beyond circumstances? I do believe as a lover of Christ we are all asked to love this way... Sometimes our hearts will feel empathy and this love seems to come naturally to many... 

But... when things are hard and people are difficult loving past circumstances takes work!  It takes internal healing! It takes spiritual growth! It will bring you through the most amazing experiences of your life... Because I believe it's not the love you give away it’s the love that grows and lives within you that make such a beautiful impact on your life... 

It is the sweetest most freeing love we can ever feel!! It’s when we can feel this kind of love in the deepest chambers of our hearts... that the most heavenly joy, peace, and unselfish love can be obtained. 

And if you truly know me... you know where I am going .... all love begins and never ends with???? 

Him! It’s always Him!! Keep Him close in all circumstances... 

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.

Philippians 4:11

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in any circumstance.

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

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For King And Country Joy (Lyric Video)