These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. Jn 15:11
It’s God’s will that his children experience his joy. Here are four ways we can cultivate the joy of Jesus in our lives.
Remember the gospel.
“Spiritual depression or unhappiness in the Christian life is very often due to our failure to recognize the greatness of the gospel.” — Martyn Lloyd Jones
Regularly meditate on the incredible truth that when you were a God-hating sinner, he so loved you that he sent his Son across the chasm your sins had created to obey God for 33 years for you then bear the horrific wrath of God in your place to make you God’s child.
Regularly meditate on God’s character.
Thinking about who our God is and what he’s like has the effect of producing joy in us, because all that God is, he is to his children.
You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find — Matt Redman
Remember your spiritual benefits and thank God for them constantly.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:2-5)
Christians are the richest people on Earth. Even if we lack in this world, if we know Christ, we’re rich.
Forget about whether you’re joyful and serve others.
We Americans are way too concerned with whether we’re happy or not. I once saw a TV special in which John Stossel asked people in 3rd world countries whether they were happy or not. Most of them answered, “I never think about it.” It wasn’t even a category for them.
One of the best ways to grow in joy is to forget about ourselves in the service of others. Not only will we find joy in serving, but God promises we’ll reap what we sow. I often find that the Lord fills me with joy after I’ve looked to the interest of another.
Lord Jesus, fill us with your joy today. And may everyone we know see your joy in us.
