But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – PART 2: JOY….AS DEFINED BY CLAIRE, AGE 11
My Mom asked me if I knew the difference between happiness and joy. We talked about it at church one time, so I had already thought about it a little. In church they said joy comes from inside my heart, because God loves me, and that it doesn’t depend on feeling happy about what’s going on at home or at school. One time I was really disappointed because my soccer team didn’t win in our Cup tournament. I think we were better than the other team, but we lost in the championship game. Where’s the joy? I got to play soccer with my friends! I even scored a goal! Even though I wasn’t happy about the game, the smile on my face showed everyone the joy in my heart.
I think joy is being able to be happy even when things don’t turn out the way you want them to. Sometimes it’s easy for me to get sad or disappointed when things don’t go my way, but I just try to forget about it. I try to remember all the things around me that are fun and good. That’s what joy means to me.
FROM THE BIBLE:
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:10-11
TABLE TALK WITH THE KIDS
1. How do you act when you are sad or disappointed?
2. When things don’t go your way, do you try to forget about it or do you let it bother you for awhile?
3. Claire says joy is being happy even when things don’t always work out. How do you define joy?
4. Read the Memory Verse below. What reason does it give for filling our lives with joy?
5. Name three great things in your life…things that fill your life with joy!
WHAT ABOUT ME? LET’S DIG IN…
The second Fruit of the Spirit is joy, but it’s easy to mistake happiness for joy. I heard a pastor describe the difference something like this: Happiness is an outward emotion based on circumstance, but joy is internal. It comes from God. So regardless of our circumstances, we can choose to be joyful. The bible doesn’t say our lives will be free of pain, disappointment, or sorrow. The bible doesn’t tell us we will understand the trials we may face. But in John 15 the bible does say, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love…I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Our joy can be made complete by obeying God’s commands, remaining in His love, and allowing His joy to be present in our daily lives. Sounds easy, right? No way! I have faced some personal challenges where I struggled to find joy in the midst of the crisis. Being happy seemed impossible, almost laughable, but I finally realized having a joyful attitude was the better goal to strive for. I couldn’t control the circumstances, but I chose to stand firm in obeying God’s commands so I could sense His love and joy in my heart. My life will always have trials and challenges, but I’m getting better at choosing to use them as an opportunity to build my character, to grow my faith, and to experience joy as Christ intended. In the book of James, the bible talks about the importance of doing just that! 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2-3 A dear friend once told me, “The unbearable is the beginning of the curve to joy.” Allow your unbearable moments to bring you closer to experiencing God’s joy in your heart.
MEMORY VERSE
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3