Reflect and Respond

Read

Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Think

Joy isn’t a side effect of good circumstances. It’s the result of staying close to the source—Jesus himself. That’s what this week has been all about. Not just studying the idea of joy, but letting God redefine it. Deepen it. Grow it.

You’ve explored how joy is more than a mood. It’s not shallow or fleeting—it’s rooted in truth. You’ve looked at how joy holds steady in trouble, how it cannot be taken by circumstances, how it begins to rise again when you feel empty, and how it gets even stronger when you choose to celebrate someone else’s win. You’ve even seen that joy can grow in the vulnerable place of being fully known by God.

So now, at the end of this week, the question becomes: What will you do with what God has shown you? Psalm 16:11 says that joy is found in the presence of God. Not in a perfect week, not in a dream job, not even in answered prayers—in his presence. And the more you live from that place, the more consistent your joy becomes. It doesn't disappear when life gets complicated. It becomes your anchor in the middle of the waves.

But sustaining joy takes intentionality. Just like fruit needs tending, so does your soul. This week, you may have felt joy stir again—maybe in a quiet moment, a walk outside, a tearful prayer, or a deep breath when you finally stopped pretending. Those moments weren’t small. They were sacred. And they can become a regular part of your rhythm if you stay rooted.

Think back over each day:
What hit hardest?
What did God reveal about where you’ve been placing your joy?
Where is he inviting you to go deeper?

Maybe you realized you’ve been tying joy to outcomes instead of presence. Or maybe God is calling you to be more intentional about creating space for joy—especially when life feels heavy. Maybe you need to begin each day with a 30-second reminder: Joy doesn’t depend on this moment. It depends on who is with me.

Reflecting doesn’t mean you have to have it all figured out. It simply means you pause to notice what God is doing. Joy grows when we reflect. It strengthens when we respond. And maybe today, the response God is asking for is simple: gratitude. Before you move into another week, before you turn the page to the next fruit of the Spirit, take a moment to say, “Thank you.” For the joy you’ve felt. For the joy you’re still waiting on. And for the joy that’s growing quietly, even now. Because the joy of the Lord is not just your strength—it’s your inheritance. It’s your daily companion. It’s what sets you apart in a world full of pressure and noise. So pause. Breathe. Receive. And rejoice.

Apply

Make a list of three things from this week that brought you joy—even if they were small. Then thank God for each one. After that, write one sentence about how you’ll pursue joy differently moving forward—something practical like guarding time in God’s presence, practicing gratitude out loud, or stepping away from comparison.

Pray

God, thank you for reminding me that joy isn’t something I have to chase—it’s something you’ve already made available. Thank you for being with me in the highs and the lows, in the tears and the laughter. Help me stay close to you, because I know that’s where true joy is found. In Jesus’ name. Amen.