Choose to add joy to lives!

Joy is a gift of the Holy Spirit, a gift from God. Think of various ways joy is mentioned in the Bible and let that inspire you to be more joyful and spread joy to others. Choose a verse that will help you focus on joy to say as a prayer when you wake up each day. Teach the scripture to your children too so they will start the day with a joyful heart. Also, ask God to help you notice if someone need a joy-lift. If so, smile and shower them with encouraging words.

• The magi rejoiced exceedingly when they saw the star, with great joy, Matthew 2:10 It was bursting out of them.
• Paul stated that being of the same mind would make his joy complete. Philippians 2:2
• John the Baptist leaped with joy inside his mom, Luke 1:44. The first to leap with joy was an unborn baby!
• Angels declared they taught Good News of great joy to them when they announced the Savior’s birth Luke 2:10.
• Jesus spoke to give us joy, John 15:11.
• Joy when we receive prayer answers, John 16:24
• Our joy will last, John 16:22
• Disciples were continually filled with joy, Acts 13:52
• Paul is overfilled with joy, Romans 17:34
• Shared bread with great joy, Acts 2:46

The Old Testament uses fifteen different words for joy, and uses joy more than 100 times. A few of these words are simchah first used in Genesis 31:27, when Laban runs after Jacob and asks why he left so fast and did not give him time to send them away with joy. It means gladness. It comes from the word samach which means to rejoice. A more superlative word for joy is sason that means to exultation.

The Greek has eight words for joy. Charan, char are Greek words for joy used in most of the above verses. The words are related to chairo meaning grace. Joy using these words means a continual gladness that comes from knowing =, experiencing, and trusting Jesus. That is not affected by outward circumstances. Galliasei is used when John leapt and the followers broke bread daily. It means wild joy and was only used three times. The third time is Jude 1:24. the Bible uses joy and happiness interchangeably. The source of joy is what makes the real difference.

Sprinkle joy in people around you, especially children. Inspire children to embrace and spread joy. This can be done through encouraging them to rejoice in blessings and sing. Then they can make things to give others as well as smiling their happy smiles that includes a sparkle in their eyes. Smiling is contagious!

Chat about joy with children and read a different scripture about joy each day. Pray for joy. When a child is feeling down or faces a challenge, chat about how such times help us grow and God uses them for our good.

Thanks for stopping by. For more on joy, check out my new book Growing a Joyful Heart by Karen Whiting and Pam Farrel

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