We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Part 2: Joy Abounds
FREE Catholic Classes
"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!"
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
4/8/2019 (5 years ago)
Published in Blog
Keywords: Joy, Christian, Catholic, Peace, Pope Francis
Joy abounds. I recently wrote about joy in a recent blog entitled, 'Unshakable Joy.' However, the topic of joy is important enough to continue on this topic. For Christians, love and peace and joy are central concepts. God-based joy especially has the ability to help us live hope-filled lives in peace. There is no need for despair and/or hatred when you are confident that God is in control and fighting your battles for you. 'If God is for us, who can be against us?' When you believe God is at the helm and in control, you are more able to hop hurdles and challenges that would bog anyone down in their humanness. In fact, joy is a manifestation of God working in one's life, and is accompanied by a deep, abiding peace.
Joy is one of the first fruits of the Holy Spirit. To experience joy in our lives is a blessed gift from God, an enduring treasure. Happiness is similar to joy. However, it leaves us feeling good for a time, then the feeling soon passes, as life presses on with its ongoing issues, challenges, frustrations, and disappointments. In essence, happiness is often a fleeting feeling, but joy is lasting as it stays with us even and especially as we enter into times of adversity. Happiness is dependent on one's mood, environment, short comings, successes and accomplishments, where joy is more of an enduring internal state found when one experiences the peace that the Holy Spirit of Jesus brings.
Joy is particularly easy to spot. When one gets into times of adversity; that is because it is paradoxical. For joy is best witnessed in someone who is going through times of tumult, yet they are seemingly at peace. With that kind of joy comes a quiet knowing that all is well, despite how things appear. Scripturally, that is called 'walking by faith, not by sight.' You are able to put aside daily strife and walk in the sublime confidence that God is leading the way.
Here are 7 Bible passages relating to living a joy-filled life:
Romans 15:13
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
John 16:24
"Until now you have not asked anything in My name [Jesus]; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete."
Philippians 4:4
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!"
3 John 1:4
"Nothing gives Me greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
Proverbs 12:20
"Those who promote peace have joy."
Luke 15:7
"I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance."
My prayer for you today is that your joy will outweigh whatever you endure this day. May God himself be with you and yours showering you with enduring joy especially in times of adversity. May you walk in the confidence that God is with you through it all, in control, and fighting your battles with you and for you. Amen!
_____________________________________________________________
Chaplain Adele M. Gill, RN, BSN is author of 3 books including "From Broken to Blest: Embracing the Healing that Awaits You," written with Dr. Verna Benner Carson. From Broken to Blest is now available on Amazon and and Barnes Noble in print, Nook & Kindle versions.
(C) Copyright 2019 | Distributed by News Consortium
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
St. Faustina Kowalska
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Saint of the Day for Wednesday, Oct 4th, 2023
-
Popular Saints
-
St. Francis of Assisi
-
Bible
-
Female / Women Saints
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sacrifices of Faith: The Pro-Life Legacies of St. Gianna and Jessica Hanna
-
How to love God by caring for our bodies
-
Pope Francis calls for negotiations to End Russia-Ukraine War
-
Pope Francis Contemplates Return to U.S. for United Nations Assembly Address
-
Pope Francis Calls on Faithful to Embrace Faith, Hope, and Charity in New Teaching Series
Daily Catholic
- Daily Readings for Monday, April 29, 2024
- St. Catherine of Siena: Saint of the Day for Monday, April 29, 2024
- Prayer for the Dead # 3: Prayer of the Day for Monday, April 29, 2024
- Daily Readings for Sunday, April 28, 2024
- St. Peter Chanel: Saint of the Day for Sunday, April 28, 2024
- Prayer before a Crucifix: Prayer of the Day for Sunday, April 28, 2024
Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.