“The spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22,23).
Feel free to sing along . . .
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. <clap, clap>
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. <clap, clap>
If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. <clap, clap>
(Sorry, now that song is stuck in your head, isn’t it?)
That’s a fun song to sing when you’re in preschool, isn’t it? But when you get a little older, you probably feel foolish. Maybe you didn’t sing along now because you aren’t actually happy. If you’re reading this in the morning, maybe it’s too early to feel happy and you don’t feel like getting ready for school. If you’re reading this at night, you’re probably worn out. That’s okay. You don’t have to fake being happy.
That’s why this passage doesn’t talk about happiness; it talks about joy. And even God doesn’t expect you to fake it. King David didn’t. When he was incredibly sad, it was then he found his joy. He told God, “Hear, O Lord, and have pity on me! O Lord, be my helper! You have changed my sobbing into dancing. You have removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy so that my soul may praise you with music and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever” (Psalm 30:10-12).
God turns your crying into joy too. Because even through hard times you know you have someone who cares about you so much that he died for you. Someone who rose from the dead for you and sits next to God talking about you. You have value. You have someone on your side—forever!
If you’re joyful and you know it, then your soul will surely show it.
