Left on our own, there is no way we can look at our circumstances or Paul look at his wrongful imprisonment and write about joy. But with God, even though Paul was externally in chains, internally he was free and partaking of the joy of the Lord. He was allowing himself to receive the fruit of joy from the Holy Spirit and he was choosing to let it overflow through him despite his present circumstances.
The reality remains that authentic joy is contagious.
If we know and believe that we are truly loved then we can then release that same love to the one’s around us.
As long as our soul is large and in charge, the fruit of the Spirit will not be able to grow and mature in us. A submitted soul is a thriving soul.
My soul was on the warpath but Holy Spirit came and said, "No, that’s not how we handle things".
We are not in this alone but our God is for us and He is with us.
“Surely the Lord is in this place!” (Genesis 28:16) Surely God is in this season with me. Surely. God is faithful, always.
God keeps His word.
Jesus fixed His eyes not on what was temporary- pain, suffering, agony, shame, rejection, abandonment and separation from His Father but on the joy of having you and I as His.
Are you so beat down by your past that you are struggling to ask God for the help you need? Don’t be.
Heavenly Whispers Blog 