I find it exceedingly exciting to see that God has not only made me joyful but has done so for others, as well.  As a devoted facebook stalker, I check statuses, streamed in blogs, and anything that can be found on a person’s profile.

One paricular ministering friend of mine has demonstrated that he has been experiencing the joy of the Lord, lately.  He has said things like, “I’m particularly enjoying my vocation, right now,” and “I know that God is at work,” “I’m reading Leviticus devotionally, and actually enjoying it,” and the like.  (One must have the Joy of the Lord to enjoy Leviticus, right?

I LOVE IT!

When one isn’t so joyful, it can be easy to see someone else’s Joy and be envious or suddenly be in touch with one’s deeply ingrained bitterness.

I love that Christ’s Joy isn’t just for me or for one person reading this post.  It’s for everyone.

I know it’s difficult to keep in mind that we have Joy in the midst of struggles, pain, depression, etc., because I’ve been there.  But I’ve found that Christ is my Joyspring!  I think back to the hardest, darkest, most depressing times in my life so far and I remember that, somehow, I found the strength to recite that little line in my head and I wrote it on things around me so I’d see it and be reminded.  It helped: “Christ is my Joyspring!”

What do you do to help remind yourself that it’s all about Christ when, perhaps, it can be easy to have a pity party, slide into depression, or succumb to defeat?

Oh, Jesus, my friend and comforter, thank You for Joy and for granting Joy to others.  Be Joy to others through me so that others may know Your Greatness.  You are Good!  You are Perfect!  You are my Joyspring!  In Your name I continually pray…