Finding Better HappinessSample

Joy Comes from a Life with Christ

Now that we have a firm foundation for understanding joy, you might be wondering how to access it. 

We can only live a joy-filled life through a relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Christ tells His disciples that while the enemy of the world seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, Christ offers people abundant life (John 10:10)! After, he explains the way he does that by comparing himself to a shepherd that lays his life down for his sheep. The abundant life He offers us is only possible because he lost his abundant life for our sake. In His death, he gave up joy so that we wouldn’t have to. In His resurrection, He took it back so that we could live joyfully with Him.

The Holy Spirit helps us do just that. Paul explains that when we walk in the Spirit, we will bear the fruit of the Spirit, one of which is joy. 

So when you find yourself longing for joy, fix your eyes on the cross and remember that Christ has offered you abundant life. Realize that God’s Word shows you how to live out an abundant life on earth, and see that as we live out that life through the power of the Holy Spirit, we will experience joy because of what Christ did for us. 

This joy is offered to us at any time for any circumstance. Christ’s death covers all things, and we can rejoice knowing that we have that to hold on to. Even if everything else feels like it’s falling apart, we can know that Christ has given us abundant life through His son. As you read the scriptures for today, thank the Lord for giving you such a wonderful gift.