The Secret to Fullness of Joy
A few days ago, I woke up to the word “joy“, and Holy Spirit said to me, “Next I want you to write on joy.” I wondered what it would look like, then I knew.
The beginning of October was challenging for me. I was in a battle between tearing my eyes from my navel and back to Jesus between bouts of anxiety and self-pity. Then October 7th came along, and I joined the Hallelujah Challenge led by Nathaniel Bassey. What a lifesaver that was!
Anchored on Acts 16:25-26, the Hallelujah Challenge October 2025 Edition was a 25-day livestream of praise, prayer and worship for 1.5 hours starting at 11:59 PM WAT daily. I blocked my calendar to make sure I took part every day. It felt important to be intentional in my commitment to participate. By the end of the program on the first day, my gaze shifted and subsequently stayed on Jesus.
After the challenge ended, I received a gentle caution from the Lord to guard my heart, eyes and ears, which led to the deletion of some apps on my phone and tablet that were distractions. After I deleted them, I felt like a weight lifted off me, and I did a better job of stewarding myself to keep my eyes on Jesus, praise and beholding praiseworthy things (Philippians 4:8). Don’t get me wrong, I still had intrusive anxious thoughts, but it took less effort to take those thoughts captive.(2 Corinthians 10:5-6)
Over the last few days, I’ve had an inexplicable sense of joy. The kind of joy that is from within and is not influenced by external circumstances. The kind of joy that erupts from a deep source within you like a geyser gushing from the depths of the earth.
As I thought about what to write for today, my mind wandered to “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” So let’s start in Nehemiah today.
Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength.” And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, since today is holy. Don’t grieve.” Then all the people began to eat and drink, send portions, and have a great celebration, because they had understood the words that were explained to them. – Nehemiah 8:9-12 CSB
After Nehemiah led the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, the Israelites gathered in Jerusalem as one, on the first of Tishrei (the seventh month of the Hebrew Calendar) to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Feast of Trumpets. Nehemiah read aloud the book of law, and the people wept out of remorse for their sins because it had been years since they had heard it. But Nehemiah, Ezra and the leadership encouraged the people to celebrate and not grieve because it was a holy day. They had to decide to remove their gaze from their sin, and celebrate their understanding of the text. It was a shift in posture.
I had to do something similar—shift my posture and turn toward Jesus. I decided not to look at what was causing me anxiety. Instead, I looked to Who gave me joy.
My friend shared a revelation she got after reading the following verse:
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
– Psalm 16:11 NKJV
The Lord showed her that the “fullness of joy” is a product of drawing near to God, and He will draw near to us (James 4:8) because it is in His presence that we have fullness of joy.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
– James 4:8 NKJV
If we back up to the anchor scripture the Hallelujah Challenge uses, Paul and Silas praised God bound in prison, His presence drew near, an earthquake ensued and the prison doors opened!
I’ve always wondered how to be joyful. It seemed elusive. Now I know it’s not something I manufacture; it’s something that comes from drawing near to Him.
Friend, if you feel you’re striving or lacking in the joy department, draw near to Him, worship Him with abandon, and He will draw near. It’s a promise in His Word to us.
If you need help, I’ll share some resources below:
Friend, draw near to Him!
Until next week …
Miracles + Blessings!
Brenda
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