Chara ( h are ah) The greek: χαρά
In the Strongs lexicon it is #5479
It means joy, gladness. The joy received from you. The cause or occasion of joy or persons' who are ones joy.
It the New Testament, it is found 59 times being translated:
KJV (59) - gladness, 3; greatly, 1; joy, 51; joyful, 1; joyfully + (3326), 1; joyfulness, 1; joyous, 1;
NAS (59) - greatly, 1; joy, 54; joyful, 1; joyfully, 1; joyously, 1; rejoicing, 1;
JOY is something talked about, but rarely seen. In small children, joy is authentic. Watch them playing in the rain, running after a butterfly, gazing at the clouds. They are fully aware of Gods creation. They live in the moment and capture if for the value it has. Those are the endearing qualities we admire. That is how God formed us.
JOY is a state of being. It is not just a surface emotion. It runs deep... it is there regardless of the circumstance. At its core is TRUST...who do we trust? Can we trust?
As we grow older, our experiences shape us. We can become fearful. We focus on protecting ourselves from hurt and disappointment. We are in control~or have the appearance of it. These are natural responses to our fallen world. BUT, we have a choice....
Let us be like little children. Let us see the joyful things in our lives. Take that minute and reflect, be observant, thankful. Consider our lives pure JOY. (God is Good~yesterday, today & tomorrow) How does joy look in your life? Is it in full bloom or is it withering away?
I pray that HIS joy may be overflowing from me. The Holy Spirit IS the POWER within us ~ John 15:5(NKJV) 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
