What’s the Good Word?

“These things I have spoken to you,  that My joy may remain in you and that your joy  may be full.”  John 15:11 (NKJV).

On January 1, I began reading a new devotional  book for this year, and it is a blessed addition  to my quiet time each morning.   In  two of the  entries, the writers  mentioned that they always choose a word at the beginning of a year as the word that they will make their theme for living during that  year. That’s a great idea,  I thought.  Something I had never tried before, even though I am a lover of words. I decided to join the two women in their journey, and it didn’t take  me long  to settle on a good word choice.  The past year was one in which we did a lot of complaining about a lot of things, grocery prices for one.   To give my spirits a lift and counteract the grumbling,  I settled on the word joy as my mantra for this year.

Neuroscience has revealed that  words, positive  and negative, affect us on a deep psychological level and have a significant impact  on the  outcome of our lives.  Neuroscientists say that  our word usage  can “rewire”  our brains and affect our behavior.  I think a positive word like joy should  prove helpful to me spiritually and otherwise this year.

In one of my books, the main character,  Claire,  experiences a  delightful moment in her life but hesitates to  give in to  happiness. She begins a debate with herself about the difference between happiness and joy. To  her, happiness is short-lived and is more like a bubbly feeling that makes you  feel good but lacks depth and doesn’t last. Joy, on the other hand, she  says,  wells up  within from a settled and comfortable place. It’s related to peace and is lasting. I’m not Claire, but those  are exactly my sentiments.

From our focus text, we can  conclude that  what Jesus had in mind for His disciples, and for us as well,  wasn’t mere happiness, but a depth of feeling that comes to stay because Jesus Himself takes up residence within us through His satisfying Holy Spirit. I  have heard  the saying, “Don’t let anyone steal your joy.”  With the perfectly fulfilling presence of the  Spirit within us,  it’s impossible for anyone to take away our joy, because we will have that  “heavenly sunshine ” we often sing about “flooding our souls.”

Jesus has promised us His joy, something I desire and  want to  appropriate to myself  in daily living this year.  I have  gladly joined my sisters in their  plan to live out a meaningful word for the year. I will live with joy! What’s your good word?

Always,

Judith

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“In Your presence is fulness of joy;
At Your right hand  are
pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 16:11