Giver of Joy and Peace

​​SCRIPTURE
Romans 15:13 NIV May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

NUGGET
I used to think I should just be able to “decide” to have joy and peace when I was going through a difficult time. After all, the Spirit of God lives in me, right? But every time I tried, it just didn’t work. I might manage a flare of emotion after thinking more positively for a few minutes but it would always fade. Then a friend corrected me and said God is the Giver of joy and peace. Then I realized I’d been trying to muster it up within myself instead of relying on the Holy Spirit as the source. When I started asking the Holy Spirit to fill me with joy and peace, it came so easily that there was no mistaking that it had come from Him and not me.

ACTIVATION
Ask the Lord to fill you with joy and peace today, without fanfare, without striving. He does the giving. We do the receiving. Don’t be surprised when your spirit feels lighter.

PRAYER
Father, thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit to live in me. I ask You to give me joy and peace today as I simply trust and receive it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Devo by Leah Paschall
Photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash