The Fruit of the Spirit is Joy


“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…” (Galatians 5:22)


The Dictionary defines joy as “a feeling of extreme happiness or cheerfulness.” The word joy in the Bible verse above is from a Greek root that means “cheerfulness or calm delight.”


This cheerfulness is rooted in faith and hangs on hope. It goes beyond a feeling of happiness that comes from the acquisition of properties or the attainment of a higher social status. This calm delight is more intrinsic and survives through the ups and downs of the external circumstances of life.


This is not an escape from reality but a certain spiritual health that lightens up a person's countenance irrespective of circumstances. 


“A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.” (Proverbs 15:13)


Worrying is what steals our joy away because it is an expression of doubt. Someone once said, “Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.”


Being gloomy and moody all the time is not a mark of spiritual well being. The more we are filled with the Spirit, the more we have joy because joy is a sign of strength.


“...the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)


May we continually cultivate the fruit of the Spirit which is joy.


Remain inspired!

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