Tis the season to be jolly. You know the rest of that line from the song, but are you? Are you jolly? Do you have “joy”? It’s the happiest time of the year. At least, it’s supposed to be. There could be many people for countless reasons that are not “joyful” right now. Financial hard times, relationship issues, living in a war zone, dealing with losing a loved one, etc. So if you can raise your hand, it’s okay, no one is looking around, and say, “Yeah, I don’t have “joy” right now,” then what do you do?
If you can be counted as one lacking joy right now, you can turn to God. Doing so is more than a cliché.
You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psa. 16:11 (MEV)
A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.
Prov. 17:22 (MSG)
“This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I’ve revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he’ll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!
John 16:23-24 (MSG)
God knows what joy in our hearts does for us. A lack of joy can lead to depression, which doesn’t help anyone. You can go to God and tell him why you don’t have joy. Then you can ask him to help you with your lack of happiness and even ask him to change your situation. Reading God’s word can help you find hope and joy. The book of Psalms is full of hope from the Lord.
If you are one walking around with an abundance of joy, look around and be willing to share your joy with someone else. One thing that helps others is when you do something for them that is unexpected, or something is done for someone else anonymously.
May you find joy in your life. Not just in this season but the whole year through. And remember, you can have Jesus’ joy as your own.
I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature.
John 15:11 (NKJV)
Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.
brady, mark a. 
Ah, “Joy to the World”! I learned just a few years ago that this song was originally not a Christmas carol, but a song about the Second Coming! So, in light of that, whatever our circumstances, we can at the very least sing that song and reflect on the hope of knowing Jesus is coming back for His bride. And smile in anticipation. 😉
Wow! I have never heard that about the song. Thanks for sharing. Blessings
Bless you, too, Mark. Have a great weekend.