Finding Joy...Where is it, how do you get it?

How do you find the joy of the Lord?

I was asked this yesterday...and so I got inspired to find the 'how-to' today. I know that it's possible...so this is what I found.

First, read these verses, especially the last one in Psalm 89:15:

1 Kings 8:66
On the eighth day he sent the people away and they blessed the king. Then they went to their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had shown to David His servant and to Israel His people.

2 Chronicles 20:27
Every man of Judah and Jerusalem returned with Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.

Ezra 6:22
And they observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the LORD had caused them to rejoice, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to encourage them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

Nehemiah 8:10
...Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Psalm 84:2
My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.

Psalm 89:15
How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O LORD, they walk in the light of Your countenance.

It's not necessarily talking yourself in to having joy. Joy is different than 'positive mindset', although that can lead to having a better attitude and appearing happier, but joy is a result of feeling and experiencing God...It comes from HIM! You don't have to muster it up. You don't talk yourself into being joyful. You get it by talking TO GOD.

Joy is something that comes from deep down inside. Inner pleasure, a glad result. It's not necessarily circumstantial. We can all feel good and happy for a moment, but if you want joy - the kind that comes from the Lord, than guess what? Reread Psalm 84:2 and Psalm 89:15 again.

Where is the joy found? 'The courts of the Lord'...'the light of His countenance'. In 1 Kings 8:66 - Joy came from what God had done. In Exra 6:22 - the Lord caused them to rejoice.

What can one do practically to get the joy of the Lord?

In Psalm 84:2 it says 'my soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord'...I receive 'the courts' as His presence...the light of His countenance....His presence. So guess what: long and yearn for God's presence in your life. (You will recieve it!)

So practically speaking, the way to get the deep inner gladness that is NOT circumstantial and momentary -

GET & STAY

IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD.

If you want the how to on that...go to John 15 & read it, and study it for a season.

One practical way that I have found a place of peaceful joy and contentment has been by  keeping my time with the Lord and my devotional protected in the mornings.

Last summer, I said, I HAVE TO SPEND TIME WITH GOD...no excuses, no if, ands, or buts...right? And thank God I followed that advice of the Lord. It prepared me for this season that has been demanding on my husband of long days, few days off...I just stay at peace - not disgruntled and nit-picky.

PRACTICAL HOW-TO:
Do everything in your power to set time aside (DAILY) about 30 min. - 1 hour (enough time to really unload the junk of life so that you can get to the place of sensing/feeling God's presence around you...) and just open up your heart and mind to the Lord.

I journal...and maybe you're not a writer, but have a pen and paper handy...be sure to have your Bible...and just sit and be honest with God. Be vulnerable, humble and real with God. Let him into your problems, frustrations, the things that cause anxiety, sleepless nights...and let Him minister to you.

See, joy comes from experiencing God with your day to day stuff. Not just getting answered prayers and being blessed (although joy comes from that too).

But unshakeable peace and joy comes from

having a deep communion with God.

So deep that when things fall apart, overwhelm you, disappoint you...your mind and heart are so concentrated on God and His love & power that you have a steadfast mindset that God's victory in your life will prevail and so the joy continues.

Joy comes from sensing/acknowledging

His presence in your life throughout your day.

Beyond saying 'God loves me'...but from feeling His touch and leading throughout your day. And by using scripture as your map. Doing things God's way gets God's results. How do you know what God's way is? By continually reading your Bible and putting the Truth in your mind to navigate you through life.

In a nutshell:

Joy is found by YOU being Spirit-led

as a result of YOU abiding in Him.

Seriously, read John 15 - and see what that looks like for yourself. May God give you the revelation to find true, lasting, unshakeable joy!