Helper of Joy - Joanie Bolton

The Lord showed me during personal devotions how we can be a “helper of joy” to others.
But first, a quick reminder that there is a difference between joy and happiness.
Happiness is temporary, it comes from a happening; someone paid you a compliment, you received a gift, you sent me a gift, etc. (Smile)

However, joy is something we have deep in our soul. Our situation might be bleak, but our joy and hope in the Lord should be steadfast. 

Today I will focus on being a “helper of joy” to others, especially as we get peace and victory over our own hardships.

I’m sure you’re familiar with the song, “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands” (clap, clap)
Well, sometimes, we’re not ready to clap to that little ditty, and we know it… and sometimes our face will surely show it!  I’m pretty transparent, I’m not good at faking happy expressions if I’m not happy. 

Our loving Heavenly Father loves us so much, and since He is well aware of the difficulties we face, it’s good and right to go to Him for help. It will be difficult to help someone else if our joy is lacking from our own trials.
Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Heb 13:6a  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper.

Let's think on the "boldly" in each of these verses. We don't need to tippy toe sheepishly to God in prayer, our Heavenly Father is waiting even more expectantly than the prodigal son's father.
I'm a visual person, so during these difficult times, I picture holding onto my Heavenly Father's hand just a little bit tighter.  Rest in the fact that God is ready and able to see us through our trials.
 Isa 51:11 "Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away."

Sometimes it's not just a difficult situation that dims our joy, but the lack of peace can be from our own sin.

Ladies, we need to keep a short list with God. He is loving and ready to forgive us, let's release those burdens we shouldn't be carrying, let's ask Him to forgive us, so we can be that much needed helper of joy.

David is a great example in Psalm 51. After his great sin, he penned this great chapter which can be an encouragement to us today. We can read this chapter to God, meaning it from our heart in prayer.
Psalm 51
1 "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions."
2 "Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin."
3 "For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me."
7 "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."
10 "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."
12 "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit."

What I love about this chapter is David gets his heart right first, and then verse 13 starts with, "Then…"
13 "Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee."

We cannot be an effective helper of joy/soulwinner when we refuse to confess the sins in our heart.

Let's remember to keep the first things first, which is keeping our heart right with God.

As a missionary, I'm blessed to travel to some countries that are very open to the gospel. Although my body has taken a beating from extensive travel in bumpy Third World countries (in fact I'm facing surgery in just a couple of days), I can attest there is nothing better than seeing someone understand the gospel and receive Christ as their Savior. 
My prayer is that we get involved in our church's soul winning programs. If you're nervous, that's ok, just find a lady that goes regularly and ask to be their silent partner as you learn.
If your church doesn't have one,
get some tracts (I love the smiley face ones!) and hand them out when you're shopping. I have multiple friends who were saved from a gospel tract!

Ask the Lord to put specific people on your heart and begin to pray earnestly for them to be saved. I love the promises from God's Word.

Psa 126:5  "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."
Luke 15:7  "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."
Isa 12:3  "Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation."
 Hab 3:18  "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
Pro 15:23  "A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!"

When we ask the Lord for forgiveness, we are then in a place to be used of Him. Let's look beyond our self and our own family, and notice the sister who's going through a difficult time.

Jesus cannot bring a meal to a mother who lost a child, or to someone recovering from surgery, but...we sure can!

I love how Job's three friends first wept, then sat down with him many days without saying a word.

Job 2:13 "So they sat down with him upon the ground  seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great."

The words we say to someone grieving should be simple and few, such as "I'm so sorry", "I'm praying for you", and "I love you." 

1 Peter 3:8 "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous."

Someone who just lost a baby does not want to hear our philosophy, that "God needed him more", and the like.
We should be abundant with our love, prayers and compassion, but use very few words.

Rom 14:19 "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
 Gal 5:22 &23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

Sometimes depression can grip a person deeply. I lost two dear, dear friends to suicide. It is something that hurts me to this day, as I could not get to them in time. Their life was just like this verse.
 Lam 5:15  The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning."

We may or may not know all the details, but we can be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading as we're watchful for those who are looking sad.
Give a hug, whisper that you're praying for them, squeeze their hand. You can send them a card or text, offer a listening ear in confidence.

Ephesians 4:32
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

The Lord allowed us to prevent the suicide of a teenage girl while serving on the mission field. God was gracious to let us bond enough that we shared phone numbers in the plaza where we led her to the Lord. Had this not happened, she would have taken her life due to bullying. It's a long, but special story.

We need to be willing to let God use us to help those who are hurting, to be their "Helper of joy" in time of need.

Jude 1:22  "And of some have compassion, making a difference."

And here's a convicting verse.
1 John 3:17 "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"

I pray this verse helps us into loving action towards our hurting sisters in Christ.

Isa 61:3  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified."

If any dear sisters in Christ are feeling despair, please reach out to someone.

Last November and December I had a stronger seasonal depression than I've ever had. I chose to reach out to a few friends and they made such a difference with their love and prayers.

I believe that if we seek to help others who have lost their joy, it will please the Lord.

Zep. 3:17 "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. 
This verse delights my soul, thinking that God rejoices over me (with joy!) and He (perfect God!) will joy over me with singing!
Wow!

I will close with these verses on how God truly wants our joy to be full.

 John 15:11  "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
1John 1:4 "And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full."

Let's purpose to keep our heart close to the Lord, and look for those who might need encouragement, and to be willing to be their "helper of joy".