The Fruit of the Spirit 35 (How to Walk in Joy 3)

How to Walk in Joy - Part 3

In the past two articles, I began discussing how to walk in joy, focusing on being intentional about receiving joy from the Holy Spirit so that we are aware of it and can fully enjoy it.

Four elements help position us to walk in joy: Determination, Passion, Focus, and Energy.

In the last article, I covered the first element, determination. Today, I will discuss Focus and Passion.

Focus is the ability to concentrate one's thoughts, emotions, and actions on seeking Christ—seeking to know His will and purpose for our lives. When our hearts are fixed on receiving wisdom from above, it fosters a deep and undistracted connection with God. Paul speaks about setting our minds on Christ: 

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:1-3 (NKJV)

Every Christian must understand that, while we live in this world, our minds should be set on Christ. We are not who we used to be; we belong to a kingdom where Jesus is the center, such that wherever we turn, we always see Him.

"Keep seeking the things that are above" does not mean daydreaming about heaven. It means being focused on Christ, living for Him, and pursuing His cause. Beloved, we must be intentional about seeking Christ. We must desire to see Him in all situations, whether good or bad. When we see Him, the effect is joy.

Our hearts must strive to know the nature of the glorified Christ and the new life we have received in Him. Then the Holy Spirit will fill us with His joy. For example, Paul and Silas were in prison, yet they sang with rejoicing (Acts 16:25-26). Why? Because their eyes were focused on Jesus, not on their present suffering, which Paul described as a light affliction that lasts only for a moment:
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NKJV)

Who does your heart long for? Who do you seek to see? When you are in a difficult situation, where do you turn? Is it to social media, parties, alcohol, or ungodly friends? We must be intentional about turning to Jesus at all times. Allow the Holy Spirit to inspire you through the pages of Scripture. Let Him guide you to Christian fellowship and stewardship. In all these, joy will easily find expression!

The third element is passion: passion is a fervent and intense love for God, characterized by a strong desire to know, serve, and worship Him.
"Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’" Matthew 22:37 (NKJV)

Loving God with all your heart means loving Him with all your faculties—being fully immersed in the beauty of His embrace, which ultimately drives us to serve Him. It means being so lost in His love that you hold nothing back.

Loving God with all your mind involves your intellect. We must be ready to submit our intellect to Him. Our brains must not become an obstacle to our love for Him. We must be passionate about Him and readily welcome Him into our thoughts. We must think about Him, His love, and what concerns Him, including His church and humanity.

This is what it means to be passionate: that our whole being is engaged with God. How passionate are you? If we are not passionate about Christ, we cannot truly walk in joy. It is this passion that the Holy Spirit stirs within us.

Beloved, prayerfully meditate on these things. See you in the next article as we continue this discourse. God bless you!

Written by Peter Ayoola Fakeye 

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