Joy should be a non-negotiable. There is no good substitute that brings the same benefits as Joy. The Holy Spirit is the one who allows for Joy, but we have the power to reject Him; and by rejecting Joy we quench His presence in both our lives and other’s. 

Why do some ignore and dismiss the benefits and strengths of having Joy in their life? And how might we quench Joy from our lives or from another? We can do that, esp if we ourselves aren’t experiencing Joy and our friends are. Maybe we feel excluded when this is the case.

Perhaps some people consider Joy trite or immature, yet, it’s all the more difficult to walk the Christian life when we sacrifice Joy in favor of suffering. As if life isn’t difficult and sorrowful enough…

Is there anything worth exchanging Joy for?

Or in a more profound sense, is there anything worth exchanging the presence of the Holy Spirit for? 

That’s when a cost-to-consequences analysis must be examined. This is crucial for the life of the Christian.

“Laughter doeth good like a medicine.”

Joy is like a healing balm and it’s one of three words attributed to the Holy Spirit. If we withdraw from Joy then we are quenching the presence of the Holy Spirit in our life, and in a Christian’s walk, that’s detrimental.

Take some time to look back over your life and see whether it was easier to manage more difficult endeavors when you allowed for Joy; or if somehow things went better for you by rejecting it.

“He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” Job 8.21  

Do you believe the Word of God for your life? Or do you reject it? God can move mountains, but it takes faith. 

“I lay before you today the path of life and death…choose Life.”