Joy is a gift. Like oxygen. But are you breathing it? Joy is all around you. Joy is in you. Joy is a blessing from God for you.
“For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done” (Psalm 92:4).
Joy is God’s job, and he does it perfectly. “You make me glad.” See how God is doing the work? You, God, are the one who makes me glad.
So, if you’re grumpy or complaining or anxious, give God his job back and pray, “God, you make me glad. I need you right now. I have you right now. I can be glad.” And breathe it in.
And, whom does God make glad? “Me.” Stop wishing you could be happy like others, and start worshipping God that he does his job perfectly—for you. For everyone. Breathe.
Joy says, “God, I thank you for” … “your deeds” and “what your hands have done.” You have joy because of God’s deeds, what he has done. “Deeds” in the original Hebrew Bible language actually means “achievements.” Like getting a 10 in the Olympics and setting a new world record!
God’s work is always at that level. Whether it’s creation, or crossing the Red Sea, or conquering Jericho or a giant, or the birth and life and death and resurrection of Jesus. These achievements are all yours to take in by faith—like breathing in oxygen—and they give you joy. Now, you’re ready to exhale.
“I sing for joy.” Literally that means “I cry out in victory!” Here’s what that sounds like. “Yes! Lord!” … “Hallelujah!” … “Woo hoo!” … Those are shouts and songs of a victory that has already been won by Jesus Christ. He achieved the joy that has already been shaped and shared with you.
It’s not your job to create joy, that’s already done. It’s your job to enjoy the joy. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.
PRAYER: God, I believe you created all things, including the gift of joy. Like blowing bubbles, I want to inhale the air of your joy, then exhale it so that others see joy in the air. Change my bitterness and complaining by your grace, into more expressions of joy. Hallelujah!
SPIRITUAL NEXT STEP: Joy is a gift, and then a skill. Like your raw talents given by God. You shine when you actually practice and improve them. So your joy will shine the more you practice it. At least once a day, breathe in the joy Jesus gives, breathe out and blow it into bubbles, then say, “Jesus Gives Me Joy.”
