Be Joyful!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always … for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Surely one’s life contains both ups and downs. Moreover, according to the teachings of the Bible, we are living in a spiritual prison. Then, how can westay joyful all the time, following the will of God?

Smile!

Proverbs 15:30 (NLT) A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.

We usually smile when we are happy, but did you know that we also become happier when we smile? When smiling muscles on your face contract,neurotransmitters which are responsible for making us feel joyous are released. In other words, you feel better simply by smiling.

Studies have also shown that smiling reduces stress and helps to generate positive emotions. That is why we usually feel happier when we are aroundchildren as they smile more – about 400 times a day! (Which is 380 times more than the average for adults.)

Smiling is also a contagious gesture, which in turn, makes others feel uplifted too. When we put a smile on others’ faces, and this spreads to a widercommunity, even to the world, wouldn’t it be such a beautiful place to live in?

Receive the Good News!

John 15:11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

About 2,000 years ago, Jesus came to the earth to bring us a good and joyful news. What was His message then?

Matthew 4:23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing everydisease and sickness among the people.

The good news which Jesus brought was the gospel. Through the gospel, we who are sinners living in this spiritual prison can receive the promise ofinheriting the everlasting kingdom of heaven (Ephesians 3:4-6). How wonderful it is!

The way we can bring this joy to others is by preaching the gospel. When others receive salvation and abundant blessings from God, all of our hearts willbe brimming with happiness and thanksgiving.

Go to a Place Full of Joy—Zion!

Isaiah 51:11 Those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladnessand joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Hebrews 12:22-23 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands uponthousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to thespirits of the righteous made perfect …

In the Bible, there is a beautiful place, which is like a temporary kingdom of heaven on earth—it is Zion. When we go to Zion, being surrounded bymultitudes of splendid angels, our hearts will naturally swell up with joy!

Let Us Bear Joyful Fruit of the Holy Spirit!

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness andself-control …

Though we may not be accustomed to smiling frequently, let us practice this will of God so that we may bear abundant fruit of the Holy Spirit! May you havea joyful day, today, the next day, and every day!