Restoring Joy

Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 51:12     

Joy can fade like a sweet dream.  Alive and vibrant, joy is exciting, invigorating, and powerful.  But then, something happens to disturb your sleep, to wake you from your sweet dream.  Once awaken, it's as if the dream never happened.  Joy dissipates in the reality of life. 

Sin, hurt, tragedy, physical pain, busyness, heartache, exhaustion, worry, negativity, jealously, ungratefulness, bitterness, resentment are all causes of a joyless life.  Joy comes only from the Lord, and it is something we must choose to live.  To live a joy-filled life, honor God with your life and serve others.  Worship and selfless acts are catalysts for joy. 

Choosing joy should be as intentional and integral part of faith as praying.  Even King David needed to pray for the restoration of joy.  Choose joy today and live in such a way that gives joy to others and to God.

 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13