A Look at Joy and Compassion

Your Source of Joy

It seems one of the reoccuring themes of the Bible is joy. Joy is an exuberance that cannot be faked. It flows free from a heart that recognizes the eternal blessings of salvaton. This joy carries with it a quiet smile during a dark storm; a bright hope in the blackest of times.

Joy is having the presence of God in your life. The Holy Spirit living in the heart and mind create a joy that cannot be destroyed; an optimism that is not challenged by the mere trivial bad times that come along. Joy exists even in the saddest of times. Death does not keep joy from living in the heart, for the one walking with God, knows that one day they will be reunited with their loved ones who have passed away.

Joy is a product of faith. It is a fruit of the spirit, that is, the Holy Spirit indwelling in the heart of man. Joyful living is a frequency of light shining from the inside out. It is a high resonation in the soul, only made possible through a relationship with God, through Christ. Christ, after His death, sent the Holy Spirit to live in the hearts of mankind. This Spirit is a real presence, a personality that changes the mind and heart of the person who lets it. Nothing happens against your will. God does not force His spirit on man. This is not possession...this is influence. The Holy Spirit in one's life brings change, love, hope, comfort and joy.

If you need joy in your life, ask God to send you the Holy Spirit in greater measure. Joy is truly the best way to live one's life, especially with all the hardships we face.

When Compassion is Tested

I recently extended compassion toward someone who treated me ill for a long time. In my mind, that person, like any other, deserved sympathy and compassion, so I extended it. I was warned by a third party that I was being fooled by this person and they hadn't really changed. No matter, I made up my mind to give them a chance. Well, the third party was right. Later I found out that the person I extended sympathy to would turn on me.