40 Days to Awaken Your Sober MindNäide

Joy isn’t a side effect of alcohol; it’s a fruit of the Spirit. The world sells you a counterfeit version, joy in a glass. But the true version? That’s found in Christ, and it lasts far longer than happy hour.

Nehemiah tells us that joy isn’t just a mood, it’s strength. We all know how happiness can come and go based on circumstances or appear when we feel like “the ball is bouncing our way”. Joy comes from a place deep within that is unaffected by changing circumstances and often experienced in the midst of the struggles of life. God’s joy is not temporal but eternal. Being present is indeed a gift and provides us a deep sense of gratitude that spills over into pure joy. The book of Proverbs says that a cheerful heart is good medicine and can be cultivated!

Psalm 16 reminds us that we have no good beyond or besides Jesus and that joy comes when we abide in His presence. When we’re aligned with God, it’s holistic peace and joy. Our heart is glad, our inner self rejoices, and even our body will relax and rest. We have every reason to be confident in the Lord’s character and experience the fullness of His presence.

The more you clear the fog, the more you're going to find that joy doesn’t need to be poured in a glass; it can be cultivated.

Choose joy. Not because life is perfect, but because God is present.

Prayer:
God, let me find my joy in You. Help me delight in your presence over the pressure that surrounds me, and your peace over any type of performance. Show me the pleasures that you long to provide in order to quench my thirsty heart.

Journal Prompt:
When was the last time you felt real joy? What contributed to that moment?