Praying joy into your world! The third theme of Advent is a personal favorite of mine–joy! In a world so overrun with anxiety, sadness, and anger, joy stands out in stark contrast. More specifically, joy that comes from knowing Jesus as your Savior is unique in its quality. It is not based on circumstances, material things, or even the people we surround ourselves with. It’s based on the knowledge that no matter what happens in life, Jesus’ constant presence assures us of His conquering sovereignty over our circumstances.
When you find yourself in a difficult situation, remember Who brings joy in your life and imagine His smiling face looking at you through the lense of grace! Although you can’t physically see it, you feel the joy of the Lord in the smile and innocence of a child, the laughter of friends and family, and when you spend time alone with God in fellowship.
Joy is also listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. Through this analogy we know our lives will reflect the results of the time we spend on our relationship with Jesus; the more we invest in serving God and others, the more we reflect the love of Christ.
I’ve learned that joy originates from trusting God’s plan. Many things in my life haven’t gone the way I thought they would, but that doesn’t mean that God isn’t trustworthy. Rather, think of when a child desperately wants something but their parent knows what they want isn’t good for them. God as our Heavenly Father knows what’s good for us–what will bring us genuine and lasting joy.
So chin up! Don’t lose your joy because you haven’t gotten what you wanted on your Christmas list; rather, learn to be content with your current blessings and keep looking forward to the joy God has ahead of you! Praying for your Christmas and your life to be filled with the Joy of Christ. Merry Christmas! ❤️💚
Books, Coffee, and Jesus 