Inside me
You may be glad. God is not only for the hard things. The fruit of the Spirit includes joy — not as a demand to smile, but as something that is allowed to grow. A cheerful heart is good medicine. The Lord rejoices over you. Joy is not shallow. It belongs in a Christian ordinary day, also between bills and mail.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
What it means
This is not a personality test. It is what starts growing when God lives in you — patience in the queue, kindness in the chat, self-control when everyone else says yes.
How you can live it
Pick one fruit to practise today — patience in the queue, kindness in a message.
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
What it means
Glatt hjärta ger god läkedom, brutet mod suger märgen ur benen. Glädje är inte ytligt. Den läker.
How you can live it
Tillåt skratt. Se något fint. Glädje får plats även i en kristen vardag.
the LORD, your God, is among you, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will calm you in his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.
What it means
The Lord your God is in your midst. He will rejoice over you with gladness.
How you can live it
When you feel like a burden: you are someone to delight in. Receive that.
A prayer
Lord, thank you for what is good today. Let joy be without guilt. Amen.