Joy is an emotional energy that elevates positive emotions in others.
“In Your presence is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11 NKJV.
People enjoy being around others whose joy is contagious, people who are invigorating. An invigorating person is optimistic, expecting good things. They enjoy the company of others and reciprocate with kindness and appreciation. They are adventurous, exploring and discovering, and joyfully sharing what they find. They are happily inclusive. My wife is one of those; a plaque given her by a friend describes her and others like her, “Be careful or she will include you in her plans.”
Invigorating people do not live in the past. They have learned that yesterdays are unchangeable and the future is unknowable, so they enjoy the moment. Invigorating people carry only the best out of yesterdays, not forecasting trouble for tomorrow, but appreciating every enjoyment today allows them. Invigorating people anticipate God’s goodness; like David their expectation is, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 NKJV.
Joy is an emotional energy that elevates positive emotions in everyone around you. Joy is not a mystical feeling of good will. Enduring joy is only found in right relationship with God. “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures for ever more.” Psalm 16:11 NKJV. Some people are just not fun to be around. They don’t know how to have fun, but they sure know how to stop it. I remember my Dad saying, “Everyone has the ability to make others happy, some when they come and others when they go.” You can choose which one you wish to be. I want to be a person others are glad to see come.
A person’s attitudes and assumptions can deplete you, draining optimism and discouraging aspirations. Worse than not invigorating you, they drain energy from you. They leave you a little less, not more, after their company. Choose people whose company and conversation replenish you. Speaking with them or being around them, or just recalling fond memories with them, can boost your spirits and rekindle your joy.
The best way to find such friends is to be the kind of friend that you want to have. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,”is Godly advice. Some days, life can take so much out of a person; be someone who replenishes life in others. Lift the spirits of people around you. People who lift yours will be drawn to you. Never expect others to give more than you give; it just doesn’t happen. Expend yourself for others and you will find how much others extend themselves to you.
Jesus accompanied two disciples to Emmaus. Afterward, they realized, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32 NIV. That describes Jesus well, and the invigorating people who know Him. Be more like Jesus. Let the Word of God – its truth and your joy – invigorate you and encourage others. See 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 NIV. Leave others with burning hearts, rather than heartburn.
My prayer for you today is: be invigorated by Jesus, refreshing others around you.