Joy is fuel to a lot of things in our lives.

Without joy, it becomes quite a challenge to live at our best. Lack of joy can kill motivation, passion, enthusiasm and creativity. It can also affect your very important relationships.

How do we find joy that lasts longer?

There are 2 primary sources that can allow to experience joy for a long time without losing it. 

1) True Joy Comes Out Of A Personal Experience Of Salvation

Salvation, according to the Bible, is understood to be the work of God. It is what God has accomplished through Jesus Christ, referred to as the new covenant. Jesus’ death and resurrection represents the primary source of our joy.

The true experience of this joy is affirmed in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ Himself. A personal relationship with Jesus begins when we let Him into our heart. In other words, when we receive Him as our personal Savior and Lord. 

This personal experience with Jesus Christ will help you with two things: assurance and confidence.

No matter what comes your way this day, you will stay assured of God’s presence with you because of assurance of God’s presence with you.

Whatever difficulty you encounter today, you will face it with confidence knowing that God is leading the way in your life.

Your joy results from the assurance of God’s presence in your life, which in turn gives you confidence to be fearless, no matter what. 

2) True Joy Comes Out Of Obedience

Salvation is as a result of God’s work through Jesus Christ. This is a gift we receive by believing and establishing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, as pointed above.

This relationship comes also with some responsibility from our part.

But, if God is the Creator of everything, what will He need from us?

Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.  (1 Samuel 15: 22, ESV)

Obedience is better than sacrifice! What matters in God’s eyes is whether you obey His Word or not.

Choosing to obey God will allow you to experience joy, which gives you peace with yourself and with God! 

Say this prayer:

“O God, restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and make me willing to obey You. Amen.” (from Psalm 51: 12)

After saying the prayer, be joyous this day because you are saved by faith and through grace, and that you are an obedient child of God!