Embracing The Power Of Joy

Hey there! Ever wondered about the difference between your emotions and your spirit? It can be tricky. Luke 1:46-47 gives us a clue. It says, "And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." Mary was drawing a line between her soul - her feelings and thoughts, and her spirit - the part of her deeply connected to God.

This sounds like a puzzle, so let's dive in! When you accept Christ, something unique happens. Your spirit becomes brand new. 2 Cor. 5:17 tells us, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" Your spirit starts humming with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). It's always in sync with God, always filled with joy, whether your emotions are onboard or not.

Now, this is where it gets a bit tricky. You might think it's fake to worship God if you're not "feeling it." But guess what? That's not true. Your spirit is constantly feeling it. In fact, it's backward to ignore the joy in your spirit just because your emotions aren't in line. It's like choosing to walk in the rain when you've got an umbrella right in your hand!

You get to choose whether to listen to your emotions or your spirit. Sometimes, your emotions might not feel like praising God. But your spirit? It's always ready to rejoice. And once your soul – your mind and will – chooses to join in, your emotions will follow suit. It's in your hands (Deut. 30:19).

So, what will you choose today? To let your circumstances dictate your mood, or to let the joy of the Lord bubble up from your spirit? Remember, your joy doesn't come from what's happening around you. It comes from the God who's living inside you. Choose joy, my friend! Choose to walk in the joy of the Lord, and watch how it changes your day.