“Now I am coming to You; I say these things while I am still in the world, so that My joy may be made full and complete and perfect in them [that they may experience My delight fulfilled in them, that My enjoyment may be perfected in their own souls, that they may have My gladness within them, filling their hearts].”
— John 17:13 (AMP)
I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy . . .
Jesus is talking here to his Father, God, about his disciples. (That’s you too!) Jesus said he taught his followers how to live so they could be happy. Jesus wants you to have “gladness” filling your heart and joy flooding your soul.
Some days are easy to feel joy. Your homework gets an A. Your hair behaves. Your little brother is staying overnight with a friend. But what about the days you fall in the mud, you forget your homework, and you’re grounded for mouthing your mom? Can you have joy on those days? Believe it or not, yes, you can. Your joy comes from the Lord, not from your circumstances.
One reason Jesus wants you to be filled with joy is that he loves you. Another reason is that joy makes you strong! And the stronger you are, the less tempted you will be to think angry thoughts or say mean things.
Understand this: it is God’s will for you to enjoy life!
More To Explore: John 15:9 – 11 and Romans 14:16 – 18
Girl Talk: Who gets the credit when you have good days? Who do you usually blame for the bad days? How can you remember to have joy every day?
God Talk: “Lord, I want to be filled with joy. I want to love my life on good days and bad. Thank you. Amen.”
From Girlz Rock by Kristi Holl