One of the five books in The Princess Parable Series is titled, “ Princess Joy’s Birthday Blessing”. In it she finds the real meaning of her name and the blessing of knowing what true JOY is. “Joy is not a luxury or a mere accessory in the Christian life. It is the sign that we are really living in God’s wonderful love, and that His love satisfies us.” Andrew Murray
How can Joy and Sorrow exist together? I have had one year to contemplate the answer to that question. I can affirm that it is possible to have them at the same time because joy is an expression of the spirit, and sorrow is an expression of the soul (mind, will, emotions).
Do people see a bright countenance when they look at you and me? Joyfulness is the bright spirit and radiant countenance that I have when I am in full fellowship with the Lord.(Bill Gothard) Ralph used to ask, “What is the purpose of joy?” Joy has no value until it is given away and the one who gives it away becomes richer.
In the jungles of Panama, a little river otter followed one of the boys up from the river and attached himself to our families. This little fellow made even the most mundane chores a delight, by turning everything into a playful pursuit! He made me believe that “Our purest and noblest joys are transformed sorrows!” Alexander Maclaren
Joy is proof to the world that God can fully satisfy the human heart! To experience joy, we need to understand that :
§ All things come from the hand of God. (Job 1: 21; MATT. 10: 9)
§ Everything that happens to us is ultimately for our good. (Rom. 8: 28)
§ Every circumstance can build character in us. (Rom. 8: 29)
§ Trials & difficulties can teach us God’s ways. (Psa. 119: 71)
If you are struggling with grief, as many out here in the California wildfires are, or those mourning the loss of life in the Potomac River plane crash recently, or a multitude of other heart-rending events…know that joy is yours when you surrender to Him, under His protective hands. C. S. Lewis said, “Joy is never in our power and pleasure often is.”
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
