From my homework a little while back:
“True joy comes from knowing and trusting the Lord.
It lasts.
We can have joy in spite of deep trials and trouble. It enables us to overcome difficult circumstances. It sustains us. It enables us to walk through adversity without sinking into despondency.
Joy protects us from surging to unrealistic highs when circumstances are good.
It comes from a consistent relationship with the Lord. But we must beware; joy is one of the first things to go when we slip into a sinful lifestyle, lose sight of our Savior, are deceived by the enemy, or slip back into self-reliance.
The presence or absence of the joy of the Lord is a good indicator of how things are going with us spiritually.” (Barton et al. 1995, 81-83).”
Today, I choose joy!
