When we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ, we receive a gift that is beyond compare: the joy of the Lord. This joy is not based on our circumstances or our accomplishments. It is a deep-seated peace and contentment that comes from knowing that we are loved by God and that we have a purpose in His kingdom.

But sometimes, we can lose our joy. This can happen for a variety of reasons: difficult circumstances, disappointment, or sin. But when we lose our joy, it’s important to remember that it’s not because God has stopped loving us or because His plan for our lives has changed. It’s because we’ve allowed something else to take center stage in our hearts.

The good news is that God wants us to have His joy. In fact, He commands us to rejoice in Him always (Philippians 4:4). So if you’ve lost your joy, don’t despair. There are things you can do to get it back.

First, identify the things that are stealing your joy. Are you focused on your own desires and wants instead of God’s will? Are you holding on to bitterness or resentment? Are you comparing yourself to others? Once you know what’s stealing your joy, you can start to deal with it.

Second, surrender your everything to God. This means letting go of control of your life and trusting Him to lead you. It also means confessing your sins and repenting of them. When you surrender to God, He will begin to fill your heart with His joy.

Third, spend time in God’s presence. The more time you spend with Him, the more you will experience His joy. Read the Bible, pray, and worship Him. The more you get to know God, the more you will love Him and the more His joy will fill your heart.

Finally, serve others. When we serve others, we focus on their needs instead of our own. This takes our minds off of our own problems and helps us to see the blessings in our lives. When we serve others, we experience the joy that comes from giving to others.

If you’re struggling to find joy, remember that God wants to fill your heart with His joy. Identify the things that are stealing your joy, surrender your everything to God, spend time in His presence, and serve others. When you do these things, you will experience the joy that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Here is a prayer that you can use to pray for joy:

Dear God,

I confess that I have lost my joy. I have allowed other things to take center stage in my heart. But I want to experience your joy again.

Help me to identify the things that are stealing my joy. Help me to surrender my everything to you. Help me to spend more time in your presence. And help me to serve others.

I know that your joy is available to me. I trust that you will fill my heart with your joy as I surrender to you.

In Jesus’ name, amen.