Joy Gives Me Strength

UPDATE: I discovered that the  picture I wrote about and attached to this post has some controversy over who sketched it originally. Since I cannot accurately give credit to the artist or find a downloadable copy to buy, I will let you use your imagination or google laughing Jesus. 

The picture of Jesus entrances me each time I see it. With head tilted back and smiling mouth wide open, laughter spills out. It evokes feelings of acceptance, as though the joy and delight in His face are aimed at me, as though I am the sparkle in His eye. Though it’s only a head shot, I imagine His arms wide open, waiting to hug me.

In response, I feel strong and alive. Joy radiates from the innermost part of me. I mirror the picture, perfectly illustrating Nehemiah 8:10, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

I don’t know about you, but when I’m joyful it’s much easier to face life. Work seems easier, problems seem smaller. By contrast, when I’m sad or depressed work feels overwhelming and difficulties feel insurmountable.

That’s why I love remembering joyful moments in life.

The authors of the book The Life Model: Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You, state, “When you catch a glimpse of a child’s face as she runs toward an awaiting parent with arms outstretched in unrestrained joy, you can witness firsthand that incredible power that comes from being the sparkle in someone’s eye.”

They elaborate on the concept joy is produced from authentic relationships and go on to say, “Joy also comes from being in relationship with God. Throughout the Bible it is established that a powerful joy comes from a relationship with God who knows everything about me and is still ‘as-glad-as-glad-can-get’ to be with me.”

Finally, they say suggest that when our “joy center” is fully developed it is “the only part of our brain that overrides the main drive centers – food and sexual impulses, terror and rage.” In other words, it gives us strength; strength to cope with frustration, to face fear, and to resist temptation.

Science is confirming what God told us in His Word:

Nehemiah 8:10, “…for the joy of the Lord is your strength

Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice…let your requests be made known unto God and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Paul, writing while imprisoned in Rome, experienced joy that overcomes difficulty.

Joy cannot be snatched from us as long as our eyes remain on Him.