This month we will consider one aspect of the fruit of the spirit, namely JOY. Jesus bore the pain of the cross because of the joy that was set before Him. His joy in the midst of pain came from the knowledge that by His death he was showing to the world the way to be at peace with God. Joy of the Lord is experienced when we lead a life in obedience to Him. This joy does not depend on external situations. We do not need a palatial house or a powerful office to gain this joy. Worldly acquisitions and earthly glories cannot get this joy for us.

This perennial joy does not depend on material prosperity. Some get frustrated when there is delay in whatever they hope to accomplish or when they are disappointed in achieving certain things. Petty things rob them of their joy. This joy that is conditioned by the fulfillment of their desires and plans is not of God. The joy of the Lord cannot be shattered by delays, cancellations, rejections, denials and indifferent treatment by others. Where ego reigns joy of the Lord cannot exist.

Paul had to face shipwreck, persecution and loneliness and he got stuck in Rome. Yet he wrote in Phil.1:4." Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again. Rejoice." Only when we know that we are in the centre of God's will, we can rejoice in the midst of turbulent and unsealing situations.

The secret of enjoying life is to consider every day as a gift. This precious gift must not be destroyed by grouses, grudges and negativity. Joy is the product of fixing our focus on God's purpose for the events in our life than on the circumstances themselves.

A joyless Christian cannot share the good news with others. James defines joy as embracing the negative outward circumstances as opportunities to strengthen faith. (James 12:1-4) We read that 'Joy is available from an intimate place of serving Jesus Luke 16:3.

When we learn to go through suffering with this joy, it will be an enriching experience. Otherwise it will be a time wasted in negativity and hopelessness. If we decide to face the painful time with this inner joy pain looks less and stress that kills more than actual grief and pain will be removed. We will emerge fresh from the furnace of difficulty.

"A true Christian will never have a grumpy face"

A person who considered himself to be a believer was distributing tracts to the passers-by. The title of it was "Jesus can make you happy" ,One small boy grabbed the pamphlet and asked." Sir, you are giving a tract on joy but your face looks so dull and sad that I tend to be skeptical about your offer. Haven't you received this joy you are advocating?.."

Dr. (Mrs.) Edriana Jeyasingh