Joy, how do we know we have it?

Were does your joy come from?  Is it created by others, stuff or self?   Did you know there is not a right type of joy?    Did you know there is different types/levels of joy?

Joy is a great feeling of happiness, I found this definition from the Merriam Webster Dictionary.   Joy is a small word but it is loaded!  Joy is tied in with gladness.  So it is an emotion.
 
I found other more information on joy.  Joy can be described as Everlasting- Isaiah 51:11; Great- Acts 8:8; Full- 1 John 1:4; Abundant- 2 Corinthians 8:2; Unspeakable- 1 Peter 1:8.   Which one do you have?   Do you have more than one?

 The different kinds of Joy are just as interesting.   Joy can be different kinds, like Foolish- Proverbs 15:21; Temporary- Matthew 13:20; Motherly-Psalms 113:9; Figurative-Isaiah 52:9; Future- Matthew 25:21,23.   What type do you have?

You are starting to see how loaded this small little word Joy is!!  Hang on there is more!!!!!
What causes Joy?   Victory- 1 Samuel 18:6; Birth (Christ's Birth)-Luke 2:10,11; Christ's resurrection-Matthew 28:7,8; Sinner's repentance-Luke 15:5,10; Miracles- Acts 8;7,8; Forgiveness-Psalms 51:8,12; God's Word- Jeremiah 15:16; Spiritual Discovery-Matthew 13:44; True Faith- 1 Peter 1:4:13.  

There is a "wrong" side of Joy.  If you are receiving joy from the downfall of ones enemy- Proverbs 24:17;  Wickedness- Hosea 7:3. When you enter in to joy this way your foundation for is lacking & weak.  It will not last.

Gladness/ cheerfulness is caused by forgiveness- Psalms 51:8 & Salvation- Isaiah 5:3,11: John 8:56; Restoration of Hope-John 20:20;  blessings- Acts 14:17; Christ's coming- 1 Peter 4:13.

Joy is mixed with hope, gladness & cheerfulness.  Joy has emotions wrapped up with it.  Can you recall having these emotions?    



Trust is wrapped up with Joy.  It is part of faith.  Some people of a big problem with a lack of trust/faith.  How do you turn that around?

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