Have you ever thought that the Christian walk is a journey of joy? For many Christian, joy is a bonus. Suffering is the mark of the Christian journey. The scripture teaches that we identify with Christ in His suffering. Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Enduring suffering is biblical teaching. However, in the midst of suffering, we can have joy. Joy in suffering? Am I insane? No, it is biblical. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Ghost: We have mistaken happiness for joy. The world associates happiness with joy. The world teaches that both happiness and joy depend on circumstances. When things go our way, we are happy, and when things do not go our way the happiness is gone and we become unhappy. The bible defines happiness and joy differently. Happiness is circumstantial but joy is not. For joy, there is a recognition of spiritual reality beyond circumstances. Eg. The awareness of God in adverse circumstances trusting Him to bring deliverance. Our joy is important to our Lord Jesus Christ. To be accepted by God is to enter into the joy of the Lord. Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Jesus also said that He shared the kingdom's secret so that the disciples will have complete joy. When our prayers are answered, it is to give us full measure of joy. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you have joy as well. John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost. Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. The Apostle Paul caught this as well as he penned that his goal is to bring joy to the Corinthians church. 2 Corinthians 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. 2 Corinthians 2:3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. A godly leader have the greatest joy seeing his sheep walking with the Lord. 3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Remember. In ministry, the first sign of danger is to lose your joy. For the joy of the Lord is our strength. Nehemiah 8:10.

May we be filled with joy in our walk with God, our ministry and our fellowship with one another. Inspired by reading Walking with God by John Eldredge.