“God save us from gloomy saints!”
― St. Theresa of Avila
Joy is one of the results of a life devoted to Christ. It is on the list that we call the “Fruit of the Spirit” because when we are in Christ, the fruit is what we produce.
Produce.
As in, work to make happen.
Because not every situation brings joy in itself. We often confuse joy and happiness. If something makes us feel good, if it makes us laugh, we feel we have joy.
But joy is the feeling we get when we realize the prospect of possessing what we desire—a relationship with God and sharing that relationship with others. That is why the Fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control—is produced in us as we face life moment by moment. We see each event knowing we already possess our greatest desire. We know we are loved.
And who can be gloomy when they are in love?
