A Joyful Spirit

    Before we had any sheep, I pictured them as slow, fluffy creatures always munching grass. I didn't know they were sprightly and animated; thrilled to run just for the running! Our nine sheep run races for pure joy. The snow is nearly all melted off. They spring across the field, all four hooves hitting the hard earth at once, making a quick clup-clup-clup sound. The ram chases one ewe, the other two follows, and all the month old lambs leap in great excitement after them! They run until they are out of breath! Watching them makes me laugh. God gave those sheep a lively spirit, joyful, if you will. Surely He wants the same for His own children!

    One thing I have noticed in my life, is that when a person is wholly committed to following Christ, they are often cheerful, and pleasant to be around. Not always, but often.

    In Kindergarten, in our home school, two of the verses I taught my children, were Psalm 100:1 and 2 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands, serve the Lord with gladness, come before his presence with singing. I wanted my children to know that God rejoices in hearing our voices lifted in praise and happiness before Him.

     * Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Psalm 103:1

     * This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

     * ... be glad and rejoice before God ... be happy and joyful ... Psalm 68:3b,d

     * Be joyful always; 1 Thessalonians 5:16

    Wait a minute. Surely God knows that we can't be happy even in dreadful circumstances! Why does he say to be joyful always? Well, he also makes it very clear that he will draw near to those who are sorrowing.

     * The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

    And he gives the answer to what one should do when trouble darkens their lives.

     * Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. James 5:13

    You see, there's more to that verse than the first three words. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

    It's that conscious way of giving thanks in ALL circumstances, that my mother must have been teaching me, when she said to praise God for trials. I did not understand at all, then. But I do now. When I thank and praise my Heavenly Father for everything, a joy grows inside me. A joy that comes from Him. It is not possible for me to sincerely thank God for something, and still feel just as miserable.

     * Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

    Certainly he knows we are not always happy. If we can't smile, we are to pray. But about those words be joyful always - think for a moment - what happens if we smile? If we smile, we make those around us feel better. Smiles are contagious; joy is like a flame from one candle lighting the next. If we look as miserable as we feel, it probably won't change. But putting that smile on to cheer others pleases God. I really believe so. And he will plant a seed of joy in your heart. It takes a willing spirit, though, to nourish that seed, and coax it to grow, in the face of a dark day.

     * I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

     * And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:10-12

     * I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. Ecclesiastes 3:12

    Lastly over and over, the Bible speaks of God's mercy. If you just can't smile, thank God for his mercy, for He understands.

     * Oh give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. Psalm 118:29