We become children of God when we believe in Christ. This makes us co-heirs with Jesus, inheriting God’s kingdom. In the past weeks I have shared a couple of the jewels we can claim during our time here on Earth; hope and forgiveness. Another treasure, and probably the most misunderstood, is joy. Joy does not equate with happiness. It is much deeper and unrelated to our surroundings. Jesus said in John 15:9, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” And He explains in verse 11, “I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Understanding that the God of the Universe unconditionally loves us completes our joy. Being filled with joy comes from faith. Nowhere in the Bible does it relate joy with acquiring material things or obtaining human achievements. It is from simply believing in God and His promises. “He was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God.” Acts 16:34
In times of trouble, trust in God can be a tool for healing. David said in Psalm 94:19, “When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul.” The situation around David was dire but his faith in God did not allow despair to crush the joy within him. That joy can become our strength, just as Nehemiah said; “Do not grieve for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
Claim your inheritance of joy by trusting God when things don’t go your way. You may not be happy about something in your life but you can be filled with the joy of the Lord by knowing He loves you as His children and heirs.
I leave you with I Thessalonians 5:16, “Be joyful always.”

Explain a time when you where full of joy amid challenging times.