“Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
–John 16:24
A story is told about Martin Luther, the great reformer, who was walking around the house for several days moping and worrying over his problems. So he got up one morning and saw that his wife was dressed all in black—a black dress, black hat, and a black veil.
He asked her, “Katharine, who died?” And she told him, “Oh Martin, haven’t you heard? God is dead.” He stepped back and said, “Woman, that’s blasphemy!” And she said, “Oh I’m sorry, but the way you’ve been acting around here all this week, I presumed that God had died!”
In the Christian life, there is a difference between happiness and joy. You can be happy without joy, and you can be joyful without happiness. Happiness is circumstantial—it’s determined by what’s happening in your life. But godly joy transcends your circumstances and remains even when hard times hit.
Because we have God’s Spirit as Christians, we can have joy whatever circumstances we face. So instead of sulking your way through hard times, let the Holy Spirit control you and give you inexplicable joy no matter the situation!
GIVE GOD’S SPIRIT CONTROL OF YOUR EMOTIONS AND EXPERIENCE JOY NO MATTER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES!
