It is easy to be joyless and grouchy. It is easy to grinchy and bah humbug. It takes little effort. To put others down and express negativity requires very little at all, actually.
Joy on the other hand is challenging like a good run or challenging sudoku puzzle. Joy takes effort like assembly required toys and make your own sauces. This might seem counterintuitive, buy joy is hard. Joy is rooted deep; it is not swayed easily by the prevailing opinions and emotions of others. Joy remains, even when life seems to crumble. Joy is resistance against all that comes you. Joy is the Whos in the movie, Grinch Stole Christmas getting up in the morning after the Grinch took everything and beginning to sing. Joy is unflappable.
To find that kind of joy, tell of God’s faithfulness and cultivate joy! Sing of God’s love and tell of God’s faithfulness. Watch if joy doesn’t come!
