"All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast" (Prov 15:15; KJV). To be afflicted is to be distressed, miserable and troubled Often our minds want to think on the wrong things, but the word says that we can train them to think on the right things (Rom 12:2). According to 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, we can take our thoughts captive and exchange negative thoughts with the word. We can have a have a merry heart despite what’s going on in our life.

The word has many positive things to say about rejoicing. In Proverbs 17:22 we are told that a "merry heart" acts like a medicine. Nehemiah the prophet wrote that: “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh 8:10).

The apostle Paul actually commands us to: "rejoice in the Lord alway” (Phil. 4:4). We find joy in God's presence (Psalm 16:11) and this joy is different from "happiness" which is based on our circumstances. Joy is also a fruit of the Spirit which develops as we spend time abiding in the vine or pressing into Jesus in prayer, fellowship and time in his word. Don’t let the devil steal your joy.

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