Joy is Our Weapon

In John 17:13 (TPT), Jesus said, “But now I am returning to you so Father, I pray that they will experience and enter into my joyous delight in you so that it is fulfilled in them and overflows.” The King James says, “...that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice! (AMPC)

Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let your joy overflow! And let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near. (TPT)

A few years ago The Lord spoke to me and said, “Joy is one of the most powerful weapons I have given to my church but the least used.” I think one reason it is the least used is because we don’t keep our minds set on the right things.

Colossians 3:2 says to set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on things that are on the earth. The Passion Translation for this verse says: Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm. We have to guard our thoughts at all times. Sometimes this can feel like a never-ending thing, but it is well worth it.

Philippians 4:8 AMPC tells us what to think on: For the rest, brethren, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

We have so many thoughts bombarding our minds continually, but we have the choice of what we will think about. As one man likes to say, “I am 15 seconds away from depression at all times, it just depends on what I let myself think about.” I have found that statement to be scary but so true. We can’t just say ‘I’m not going to think about that’, we have to replace a bad thought with a good one, or the Word of God. Meditating on scripture is the best way to overcome discouragement. Find a promise in the Word that corresponds with what you are going through.

I’m still dealing with health issues from the last time I had Covid. I was questioning The Lord about it and His response was, “Didn’t I say a merry heart does good like a medicine?” So I have made a choice to be joyful and merry. Proverbs 17:22 TPT A joyful, cheerful heart brings healing to both body and soul. But the one whose heart is crushed struggles with sickness and depression.

James 1:2-4 TPT My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up in you the power of endurance. And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.

We were in worship one evening and there were many things happening in our lives but also happening in our nation. I heard Holy Spirit say, “It’s time to get out the big guns!” I knew immediately what He was saying and joy just erupted out of me. I believe many things happened that night because we used our weapon of joy.

I just want to encourage you that Jesus left us His joy. We are seated with Him in heavenly places, and in His presence is fullness of joy. We are living in a time when there are more prescriptions being given out for depression and anxiety than ever before. I heard the other day that they are giving these drugs to little children as young as 3 years old. They use to talk about how many times a young child laughs in a day. I’m not trying to make anyone feel bad if you need those prescriptions but let’s start using our weapons along with them. Let’s rejoice in the Lord and again I say let’s REJOICE!!!