Ever wonder how some people have a joy about them even when everything seems against them? Then there are people who seem to have it all yet always complain and seem depressed! What makes the difference? Why are some totally devastated when their car breaks down yet another who had their home destroyed by a hurricane have inner peace and joy despite “losing it all?”

You will know a true follower of Jesus Christ by the way they live, and respond to difficult and challenging issues. The same is true of someone who is a church goer with no real relationship with the LORD. They are usually focused on self, consumed by their circumstances and live by how they feel rather than staying focused on a greater purpose of fulfilling their destiny in Christ. Knowing the LORD brings joy and the Word of God says for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Remember being in love and all you looked forward to was seeing that special person? It didn’t matter how you felt because as soon as that person showed up everything was okay and you had joy unspeakable! A relationship with a person rarely produces a forever sustaining joy  because we are human and ultimately will let each other down at some time. BUT when we have true fellowship with the LORD this Joy is sustained because He never fails.  The key to sustaining joy in this world -for me, is knowing my destiny and knowing in Whom I believe. It is that simple. The LORD desires “whosoever will” (choose) –to know Him. Knowing Him gives sustaining joy nothing in this life can steal. Neither disease, not death, not ISIS, nor even a nuclear bomb has the power to steal our joy. Sustaining Joy comes from being intimately involved in an everlasting relationship with Almighty God through Jesus Christ. My future is in His hands so why should I fear?

Hebrews 12:2   fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

³ For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Know what the joy set before Jesus was? It was doing the Father’s will. The Joy set before Him was knowing that “it is finished” at Calvary’s Cross, making The Way for you to become a child of God (which was God’s plan throughout history) became a reality.

Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

There is a sustaining Joy knowing the LORD. The only way to have this Joy is to get to KNOW JESUS.