Did you know that your brain is neuroplastic? This means that it is malleable and adaptable, and changes moment by moment every day. Yes, God designed our brains to change as we renew our minds. Science is now proving with astounding facts of how our brains have renewable characteristics. This basically means that we can change our brain with our mind–you may have to read that again 🙂 This is amazing!
With that thought (renewing our minds), I want to focus on the topic of JOY.
The following is an excerpt from my book The River:
I was once preparing some notes for an adult Sunday School Class which was on the topic of prayer. As I was praying about the content I had a vision. I saw this image of Jesus, and He was laughing—not just smiling—but belly laughing. I loved that! It so moved me, that I went on a quest to see if anyone had ever painted anything like that. I found a print available that had been painted by an artist who had done a live sermon illustration. It is a favorite of mine and will always have a special place on my office wall. I don’t know what your impression of Jesus’ personality is, but do you ever imagine Him as laughing? Do you think he has joy? I know He does, and I also know Jesus is a direct reflection of the Father.
Our joy (true joy) is a direct result our being before the face of God. There is a fullness, a complete joy, that can only be found in Him. People try to find it all the time in other things and other people, but it truly can only be found in Him (Psalm 16:11, John 16:24). This joy makes us strong and sustains us, and it only comes from spending time in His presence. The book of Exodus tells us that when Moses came down from Mt. Sinai, that his face was so lit-up when he came down from being face to face in God’s presence, that people could not even look at him (Exodus 34:29-35).
Even in the midst of pain and tragedy we can experience joy—and it’s found in His sustaining presence. It’s in these times that we trust Him with the situation and we choose to rejoice. We rejoice because we trust Him—then unexplainable joy will follow. This as well is something Jesus demonstrated for us as He endured the cross.
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”(Heb. 12:2)
Friend, no matter where you are in life right now, don’t give up hope. You can change. You can overcome. Put your hope in God–He will give you true joy.
Blessed by the Best,
Mark
See You in the River 