We’ve been talking about emotions and the responses you must learn in order to exhibit more of God’s character and fewer of your own reactions.

There is one feeling you will never need to control, however: joy. You don’t need to control joy, but you do need to choose it. Joy is different than happiness because it is reliant on God’s character instead of on external conditions and circumstances. And because God’s character does not change, your joy can be full and complete.

In fact, Jesus said that His desire is for our joy to be complete. Learn more about this God-given joy in today’s post.

"In Joy" by Dr. James Merritt 

Pray
Jesus, you came to give me Your joy so that my joy can be complete! I claim this joy! I choose to live in it, and I want more of it!

Reflect
Am I willing to fully trust God’s truth and character so that I can claim my joy?

Respond
Think of situations that normally cause negative emotions in you. Now rethink those scenarios, and imagine what might happen if you allowed joy to reign over you instead of allowing negative emotions to rule you.

We live such crazy and fast-paced lives that it’s easy to let our emotions get the best of us. When we let bitterness, resentment, anger, discouragement, or any other negative emotion rule over us, we leave God out. We may justify our emotions by saying, “Oh, that's just the way I am.” But we don’t have to stay that way! When we look to God, trusting in His character and His truth, we can overcome the negativity the devil throws our way.

God doesn’t want you to stuff your emotions—He created you to have them. Emotions aren’t wrong, but allowing the negative ones to overtake your life is not living out God’s best plan for your life. You can learn to manage your emotions by examining your heart, refocusing your perspective, and concentrating on the joy God wants you to have. When you do, you will find that you can rein in your emotions and stop your negative feelings from hurting you and those around you.