One of the things I have missed most since COVID started last year is joy. Where has all the joy gone? Maybe I’m alone in feeling this way, but it seems like we aren’t as joyful as we used to be. Joy is that passion or emotion you feel that is excited when you acquire or expect some good. This good could be a success, good fortune, or the gratification of some desire (Webster, 1828). For the longest time, we weren’t expecting good. Every time we turned on the news, it was one negative story after another. The Bible often speaks of joy. It is a fruit of the Spirit, so as you walk in step with the Holy Spirit, joy is a natural by-product. It also mentions that our joy is to be found in the Lord alone. When we look for joy or happiness outside of God, we won’t find it (and if we do, it is a shadow or a counterfeit joy). Today’s verse also says that joy will fill our hearts when we plan and pursue peace. This means we look for ways to mend broken relationships, restore possessions to their rightful owners, or pray for someone to be made whole. In what ways are you plotting evil? How can you change that to planning peace? Where do you want the Holy Spirit to apply more joy? Ask!
Proverbs 12:20: “Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace.”
#MinuteWithMaxon #MWM #Peace
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Scott Maxon 