THE STRENGTH THAT SUSTAINS

 

JOY

Pastoral Messages by Matriarch Elnette Edwards

Dear family,

Joy is one of the most misunderstood aspects of the Christian life. Too often we confuse joy with happiness, but they're vastly different. Happiness depends on happenings—good circumstances, pleasant experiences, favorable outcomes. But joy is deeper. Joy is a supernatural strength that sustains us even when circumstances are difficult, even when we're walking through valleys, even when everything around us says we should be falling apart.

The Bible tells us "the joy of the Lord is your strength." That means joy isn't just an emotion—it's a source of power. It's what keeps you standing when everything else fails. It's what enables you to praise God in the prison at midnight like Paul and Silas did. It's what allows you to "count it all joy" when you face trials, as James instructed.

I've experienced this unexplainable joy in my darkest seasons. When I lost loved ones, when I faced serious health challenges, when ministry was hard and I felt alone—there was a joy underneath the grief, a peace beneath the pain, a strength that didn't come from my circumstances but from His presence. People would ask, "How are you still smiling? How are you still praising?" And I could only point to Jesus, because it wasn't natural—it was supernatural.

Joy is also contagious. Joyful people draw others. Their perspective is refreshing in a world drowning in negativity and complaining. They don't deny problems, but they refuse to let problems steal their joy. They've learned the secret that Paul discovered—to be content in every circumstance, knowing that nothing can separate them from the love of God.

But joy must be cultivated. It doesn't just happen automatically. We cultivate joy through worship—choosing to praise God even when we don't feel like it. We cultivate joy through gratitude—focusing on blessings instead of problems. We cultivate joy through fellowship—surrounding ourselves with faith-filled people. We cultivate joy through obedience—there's deep satisfaction in doing what's right. We cultivate joy through hope—keeping our eyes fixed on eternity, not just temporary circumstances.

I've also learned that joy isn't the absence of sorrow. You can grieve and still have joy. You can acknowledge pain and still possess peace. Joy doesn't mean pretending everything is fine—it means trusting that God is good even when life is hard, that He's working even when you can't see it, and that your current chapter isn't your final chapter.

The enemy wants to steal your joy because he knows that joyful people are powerful people. They're resilient, hopeful, and effective witnesses. They can't be defeated because their joy doesn't depend on winning—it depends on belonging to the One who's already won.

Today, I encourage you to reclaim your joy. Stop letting circumstances, people, or disappointments steal what God has given you. Choose to worship. Choose to praise. Choose to focus on truth rather than feelings. Your joy is your strength, and when you walk in joy, you're declaring to the enemy, to the world, and to yourself that God is still on the throne and He's still good.

Joyful in every season, 

Matriarch Elnette Edwards