Joy in obedience? How’s that?! Come again? As Beth explains in the beginning, it makes sense that a virtue begets a fruit of the Spirit. Kristofer picks up the ball and goes big picture, explaining that doing what God says leads to joy. But what about the suffering that comes about when obeying God? Still = supreme joy! From God to the world to the nations to us personally obeying God, we talk about the difference between joy and happiness and where all of this obedience applies. Parents will find this useful to listen to with children of all ages.

There is joy in hope. When we hope in The Lord, when we obey Him, The Lord’s joy is in us, as Jesus plainly states.

The Lord’s Prayer states, “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” In heaven, the Will of The Lord is perfected and constant and so there is perfect joy in heaven.

As parents we teach our children to obey, and our children learn through obedience that there is joy, peace, and harmony. There is joy in obedience because Mom and Dad are happy, which keeps the children happy, which creates joy around us.

Delving into a little bit of parenting skills, Beth describes how to instill that virtue of obedience by catching our children doing something right. he shares how exploring this with children will let them see how there is joy in obedience.

Happiness is fleeting. Joy is forever. There is joy in obedience. As Kristofer says, “If we all followed the first commandment, we would not need the other nine!”

We continue the discussion about being who we are supposed to be, and how that is obedience that leads to joy, and keeps us from misery, even in the midst of suffering for being who we are supposed to be, because there is joy in being that.

And, yes, we cannot finish the episode without a throwback song about joy…

Some items on our site that will help in exploring this topic:

Video: Fruits of the Spirit: Joy

TWMWU:This Great Gift

TWMWU:Take Up Our Cross!

TWMWU:Prepare The Way Of The Lord

Podcast Episode: Joy – Episode 21

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