JOY the 2nd fruit

The Greek translation of joy is CHARA, derived from the word CHARIS, which is the Greek word for GRACE. This is important to note, for it tells us categorically that chara is produced by charis of God.
This means joy is not a human-based emotional state, that comes and goes. Rather, true joy is Divine in its nature, it is accessible and you can choose to walk in it!

1Thessalonians 1:6,

the Thessalonians were under great stress due to persecution; yet, in the midst of it all, they continued to experience great joy: “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the holy Spirit…”

According to Nehemiah 8:10, “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” That is my every morning prayer “today is the day the lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!” The joy if the lord is my strength and my strength comes from the Lord. Why? Because joy is what I fought for my entire life!

Hebrews 12:1-2 words it this way: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of wit- nesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.”

It is a Spirit-given expression that flourishes best in hard times.