Joy

The other day I realized that Joy is our gift to God.  When we feel joy, we give God joy, too.  The scriptures say that Jesus feels all our sorrows and our pains.  He knows what we go through so he can be the best judge possible, and also he took all our pains and sorrows and afflictions on us through the atonement.  So, if we choose misery, crankiness, unhappiness-- Jesus takes those sorrows on himself.  Then, if we choose to feel joy, we DON'T give him the sorrow.  We lighten his burden.

Also, I think, Gratitude is a gift to God.  How much happiness do we feel when others appreciate us?  Are we not made in Heavenly Father's image?  I expect he feels joy with our gratitude, too.  And, of course, we are commanded to be thankful in all things.  I used to feel it was to help us remember our dependence on God, and I'm sure that's true.  But I like to feel that my Thanks helps to make God a little happier, too.

We've been told that all things belong to God.  They are His gift to us.  And I appreciate that.   The only thing we have that is truly ours, is our WILL.  I always thought that meant that when we give our will to God, we are choosing to be obedient.  We are choosing to want the things God wants for us.  I've decided Joy and Gratitude are sub-heading of "our will."  God does want us to be Grateful and to have Joy.  I just never thought of it this way before.  And I thought I'd share.