365.160: Joy

Did you ever consider that seriousness is not a fruit of the Spirit?
Or that joy is not an option?

People will say, "That's just not my personality. I'm just not a happy, bubbly person." But for Christians, the Bible says that the fruit of the Spirit (which means the inevitable result of living in relationship with Jesus) is love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control. So what if you heard someone say that loving others "just wasn't their personality?" You would laugh, right?
Tonight at Elevate, Steve Backlund spoke to us about joy. It was so good that I just wanted to share a few of the key points with y'all. (Some of these don't deal with joy specifically, but are great thoughts, nonetheless.)

• The Kingdom of God is not moved forward by good conduct, but by right beliefs. Stop asking God, "What should I do?" and start asking, "What do I need a revelation about to believe?"
• Research has shown that children laugh 400 times a day; adults laugh 15 times a day. That is not a good progression. Laugh more! Possessing joy is the secret to strength and longevity.
• A lack of joy does not come as a result of bad circumstances, but of bad perspective. We are not called to be realistic, but supernatural. Faith is not being in denial. There are giants in the land; but we can beat them because God is on our side. Faith isn't blind, it's visionary. And faith and hope must be attached to a source (like the Almighty God); in and of themselves they're fake and worthless.
• Every area of your life that isn't glistening with hope means you're believing a lie.

Man, that is so much for me to think and pray about!