Joy is one sought-after fruit. People are looking to be happy, and they’ll do just about anything for some joy. Sadly, even Christians often think it’s an unattainable thing.
But joy isn’t some mysterious gift from God. It isn’t somewhere out there, waiting for you to find it. It doesn’t come from other people or accomplishments in life. You can get some happiness from life, but lasting joy? No way!
Joy is a spiritual gift that doesn’t come from the outside. It comes from the inside. Joy isn’t around you, but it is literally in you. That is the miracle of the new birth. Consider that! The joy of the Lord is in you right now, regardless of how you feel. Because you are a believer, you can tap into it and watch it go to work for you.
Jesus knew that life would be tough sometimes. He knew we would go through tribulations in this sin-filled earth. And He told us what to do about tribulation. He said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
In response to tribulation, Jesus commands us to draw on the spiritual fruit of joy. Our comfort comes from knowing that He has already overcome the world and all the tribulations that are in it. And as His kids, we’re entitled to share in that victory.
Some people want God to dump joy on them first, and then they’ll be of good cheer. But that is like putting the cart before the horse. The way to get down the road fast is to put the horse before the cart and let the horse do the hard work.
Draw on the fruit of the Spirit dwelling in you first. How? By fulfilling His command to abide in Him and allowing His words to abide in you. The action of abiding is the horse that pulls the joy cart. It is where your power comes from.
When tribulation comes, I’ve seen a lot of people who actually back away from God. Then they wonder why they’re so depressed. I always say, “If you want to be depressed, just stop talking to God. Skip church. Stop reading your Bible for awhile. Stop praising Him. Let the world wear on you a little, and sure enough, the devil will start throwing all kinds of depressing thoughts at you.”
He’ll even throw in a little cynicism with your depression. Cynicism and depression – now, there is a bone-drying combination! Mix that with a tribulating circumstance, and you’ve got problems!
Now, I understand that it is hard to be happy when you’re sick. It’s hard to be happy when you’re struggling with something or someone in your life. That’s understandable. You are human. You are an emotional creature, and I understand that sometimes the flesh tries to take over. But joy is a choice. It is a spiritual choice that can change soulish emotions.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Jesse Duplantis, minister of the Gospel, motivational speaker, television personality, and best-selling author, has been in full-time ministry since 1976 and is the founder of Jesse Duplantis Ministries, located in the Greater New Orleans area of south Louisiana in the United States of America. With over four decades of sharing his unique blend of humor and faith around the world, generations of believers have been inspired by his messages and countless numbers have come to know Jesus Christ as Savior through his ministry.
Known for his unflinching, status-quo-breaking messages and humorous take on experiences in the life of the believer, Jesse continues to draw large audiences of believers through social media, television, and meetings held around the world. With speaking engagements booked years in advance, Jesse Duplantis continues to keep an intense traveling schedule, flying throughout the United States and the world preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. With no booking agents pursuing meetings for him and no set fees imposed upon churches for speaking engagements, Jesse chooses his outreach meetings based on the same two criteria he always has: invitations that come in and prayer over each one. This uncommon way of scheduling in today’s world means Jesse’s many followers may find him speaking in some of the largest churches and venues in America and the world, as well as a great many small and growing congregations, too. No church is too big or small for the Holy Spirit, as he says.
Side by side with his wife Cathy Duplantis, the co-founder and chief of staff of Jesse Duplantis Ministries and the senior pastor of Covenant Church in Destrehan, Louisiana, Jesse continues to fulfill his life’s calling by daily taking up the Great Commission of Jesus Christ: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Through social media, television broadcasts, books, and other ministry products, as well as through many evangelistic meetings, the JDM website, the JDM app, and Voice of the Covenant magazine, Jesse Duplantis continues to see growth in his ministry and expand each year while maintaining his roots. Jesus is the center of his life. The salvation of lost people and the growth of believers is the purpose of his ministry. And for both he and his wife, every day is another day to “Reach People and Change Lives, One Soul at a Time.”