Say these words aloud: Joy. JOY!

Did you feel it? Did you notice the way you said the word caused a physical reaction? I truly believe that words have incredible power. The hurtful words spoken by someone we love can crush us. An encouraging word can keep us going when we want to give up. The living word of God can make us whole. God’s word is where we find unworldly, unending joy.

In the word of the God we learn that we can experience the love of God, though it is too great to understand fully. Ephesians 3:19

Too great to even understand? That’s amazing! God’s words to us are full of love and guidance on how to live our lives in a way that is incomprehensible to the world. To be able to have joy when we are surrounded by sorrow and heart break even in our own lives. Words are so powerful.

Besides the word of God, I believe the most important words we say are those we tell ourselves. The words in our head. What you tell yourself can bring you joy, or they can rob you of God’s joy.

We will start off simple. What does the voice in your head say when you look in the mirror? What is the first you think? Do you notice those blemishes on your skin or those wrinkles that are starting to show? So often we start off the day telling ourselves all our shortcomings. Let me suggest you start your day differently tomorrow. When you first look in the mirror, I want you to tell yourself, “GIRL!” (and be sure to say it with all the attitude you can muster) “You are sooo loved! The mighty and powerful God took time to create you just the way He needed you to be. And He did a great job!” Yes! Say it like you mean it because the word of God says it’s true! I feel more joyful already.

Joy is a feeling of great pleasure that comes from a sense of well-being. The only way to have a genuine and lasting sense of well-being is to truly understand who you are. Let me remind you of who God says you truly are.

“You are a daughter of the King…" 2 Corinthians 6:18

“You are fearfully and wonderfully made” Psalms 139:14

“You are made for a purpose” Proverbs 16:4

It's much easier to get our sense of worth and value from people who are around us. People who are tangible. But those people will disappoint you. No matter how loved you are by other people. They will fall short because they are human. They were not created with the gift of giving pure joy. I was not created to give you unending joy. But let me tell you who is, let me tell you about my Jesus.

Let me tell you about the loving, amazing God who made you. He thoughtfully and purposefully made you! He put that freckle in that exact spot. He gave you your eye color. He gave me my round ball of a nose. You know what’s really amazing? When he finished creating you, he said, do you see this woman? This is my daughter. She is amazing. When she understands who she really is, when she accepts my knowledge, when she knows that every molecule in her body was purposefully put there by the Almighty God, that my dears is true joy.

Joy doesn’t come from just saying it or knowing it, joy comes when you accept it as gospel truth. When you live like you know who you are. Whose you are. Nothing in the world can rob us of our joy when we know how loved we are.

God tells you repeatedly that you were created by Him. To be like Him. To live like Him. To love like Him. John 15:11 says “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” So, rest my dear sister, your joy is complete. You don’t have to go running around searching for it. God has given it to you.

Words can be hollow. As the adage goes, actions are worth a thousand words. God did so much more than just tell how much he loves you and how much you are worth to him. He left his thrown for you. He came and was born in a stable for you. He lived as an example for you. He was beaten for you. He was killed for you. He conquered death for you. He gave the gift of his spirit, his knowledge, to live inside of you. He brought joy to the world…for you.

What joy it is to know the almighty, all-powerful God is with you always, will love you always. To know that his birth brought not only joy to the

world but can bring joy to you personally.