Romans 5:1-3, in The Passion Translation of the Holy Bible states, "Our New Life: 5 Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and he now declares us flawless in his eyes. This means we can now enjoy true and lasting peace with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, has done for us. 

2 Our faith guarantees us permanent access into this marvelous kindness  that has given us a perfect relationship with God. What incredible joy bursts forth within us as we keep on celebrating our hope of experiencing God’s glory!

3 But that’s not all! Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance."

JOY!

You know if you've got it rising up in you like a fountain. If you don't, here are a few things you can do to help that joy that's in you rise up!

1. Start thanking the LORD for everything you can think of. Even if you have to ask Him to help you (which He will!), just start writing and saying things out loud to yourself, and to others if they're around, what you are thankful for. It is amazing how our hearts can change and be healed when we start to be thankful!

There is a reason the LORD tells us to "enter His gates with thanksgiving, and enter His courts with praise" (Psalm 100:4-5)!  It's not for Him--although He deserves every moment of it--it's for us, to help our attitudes adjust and align with His, so He can communicate with us effectively!

2. Start helping other people more. This can be prayer, or financial giving, or serving in some way; your church and community, and even your family, can always use more help!

3. Plant a garden, even an indoor or one-pot garden. There is something about planting seeds that will produce good things that strengthens the human spirit. When you have those lovely flowers or veggies and fruits, there is a satisfaction that cannot be bought. Ask the LORD; He knows all about it, for He planted the ultimate Garden for us, and He is the ultimate Farmer!

4. Take more naps, and eat more (drug-free/organic) ice cream! This is the advice of writer and humorist Erma Bombeck, in a writing before she died.

5. Remember that, no matter the problems you think you have, there are BILLIONS of people in the planet that would LOVE to have your life, and would consider it so far blessed beyond ANYTHING they have ever experienced! YOU ARE BLESSED!

6. Most of all, focus more on the  worship of God through excellent Christian music, reading the Word (look up Scriptures on joy!), and prayer. Your Father God (if you know Jesus His Son as Savior and LORD, that is), is a good, good Father and loves to communicate with you and bless you!

I'm sure He can show you even more ways to have joy. It's there; you just need to help it flow up inside you, and you will be refreshed. The joy of the LORD is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10)!

Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. They lift Him up in books (P.O.W.E.R. Girl!; LEGACY; Visions of the King; Your Holy Health; more); presentations; service in church, community, and the world; and via the "River Rain Creative" (309 videos) and "POWERLight Learning" You Tube channels.