by Victoria Osteen

The Bible talks about joy and calls it "unspeakable and full of glory." You know what that says to me? It says that joy is more than just a feeling. It's more than just being happy. Joy is a supernatural force on the inside of you.

Joy is a deep abiding strength. It's constantly there. It is a fruit, or offspring, of the Holy Spirit. It doesn’t come from your circumstances. The world can't give it to you, and the world can't take it away!

So how do you "get" joy today? The good news is that when you make Jesus your Lord and Savior, the Bible says that the Spirit of God makes His home inside of you. And if the Holy Spirit is on the inside of you, than so is joy! As believers, we already have joy! But we have to stir up what God has placed within us. We have to choose to access that joy by putting our trust in Almighty God.

It's like receiving a present. Someone can give you the most wonderful gift wrapped in the most beautiful paper with a gorgeous bow. And you can have that present sitting on your table, admiring how nice it looks. You can be so thankful for that gift and appreciate that person so much.

Yes, that present is in your possession; it's yours, but until you open it and take it out of the box, you won't be able to experience that gift and all of its true benefits! In the same way, you have to take that step of faith to access what God has given you by His Spirit.

Today, open your heart and receive the joy God has for you. Focus on the fact that He's got you in the palm of His hand. Trust that He is working all things out for your good. Dwell on the truth that if God is on your side, there's no enemy that can stand against you! As you begin to meditate on His promises found in the Word of God, faith will come. Hope will come. It will be easier for you to cast your cares on Him because you trust Him.

Before you know it, you'll feel that supernatural joy welling up in your heart and giving you strength! You'll have an attitude that says, "I don't know why I'm in this difficult situation. I don't know what's going to happen. I just have faith! I don't why, but I just believe God's going to get me out this!"

Other people will wonder why you have a smile on your face and a spring in your step, but you'll know it's because His joy is giving you the strength you need to push past the challenges of life so you can grab hold of the victory that God has in store for you!