Because God loves me …
God’s idea is that we should walk through life filled with joy. We shouldn’t walk around with long faces. That is not how God meant it to be. But we struggle. We struggle to find our joy in all the hardship. We struggle to make Paul’s command part of our lives: 16Be cheerful no matter what ... I suspect it might have something to do with the fact that we look for joy in the wrong places.
We should rather find our joy in God. When you really understand God’s love for us, you can be filled with joy amidst all the struggles.
I received an e-mail from Elmo (not his real name) in which the source of joy is clearly visible:
Because God loves me, He is never impatient with me.
Because God loves me, He doesn’t keep track of my transgressions that He has forgiven. He forgets them.
Because God loves me, He never says there is no hope for me.
Because God loves me, He never lets me down, even though many of my best friends do it.
Because God loves me, He supports me whenever I reach a point of despair.
In such moments I truly believe that God loves me. You, the greatest of all gifts, is God’s perfect love.
Joy is forever.
When you laugh, it’s as if you start running inside – your secret exercise programme.
The best beauty treatment is a happy heart and a joyful spirit.
Do your utmost to enrich the lives of other people and your own cup of joy will quickly overflow.
Hope for the best. Be prepared for the worst and face everything with a smile.
Laughter gives life flavour − like salt on an egg.
Pleasure is fleeting and can disappear in seconds. But lasting joy is from the Lord and keeps on flowing through your heart like a deep river.
The reason why Christians can be so full of joy is because Christ died yesterday, lives today, and will come again tomorrow.
The outcome of “because God loves …” is joy in me. And the joy in me always overflows to those around me.
Maybe we should cut out some of these phrases and stick them up all around us so that joy can become part of our lives.
Scripture
Reflection
Are you filled with joy?
Do you know how much God loves you?
What must you do to experience God’s joy?
Prayer
Father, I really struggle with this. My circumstances steal my joy. I want to laugh again. I want to overflow with joy. How can I do it? Amen.