Don’t you enjoy being around people that are joyful? I remember my third-grade teacher was a very joyful person. She was inspirational teacher and her joy spilled over on her students. It was the first time I can remember that I really liked going to school. For me it was a pivotal point in my life. She couldn’t teach Bible verses in a public school, but she could live out her Christian faith. Her joy affected others like a ripple in a pond and for me it was long lasting.
The Apostle Paul writes in Galatians 5:22-23 – But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! [1]
Healthline.com tells us that being joyful has major health benefits. It helps combat stress, boost your immune system, protects your heart and reduces pain. What’s more, it may even increase your life expectancy.
The people involved building the tower of Babel in Genesis 11 were self-absorbed and life was all about them. As you study human behavior, a life lived for yourself is very depressing. There is not a lot of joy when life only revolves around us.
Would you like to be more joyful? Do you need a heart change? God’s word in Proverbs 3:5 says to trust in Him with all of my heart. There is joy in seeking God for guidance and trusting that He will take care of me and direct my life according to His will.
It is easy to follow our current path and not realize that joy is a choice. It takes effort to be joyful when my situation is not joyful. I need to make a choice. I need to pray for help and to be obedient to God’s Word. I can’t say that I am always good at this, but I am a work in progress. Maybe you are like me also. It is ok to be under construction.
God’s Word says to cast all of my cares on Him. Again, this is not easy, but the key is to trust God and move forward. We can reject all heavy thoughts because we know God can use our trials for our benefit. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:3-4, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”[2] Joy makes me feel lighter. It is the absence of worry, doubt, and earthly cares in my life. It is the result of obedience to God’s Word. Every choice to obey God is a step away from sin and heaviness, and a step closer to greater joy!
To hear the story of the Tower of Babel listen here:
[1, 2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Galatians 5:22–23, Romans 5:3-4). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.