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These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:11 ESV

Peter and the apostles were beaten by the religious leaders and told not mention Jesus anymore, yet they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for His name (Acts 5:41). When Paul and Silas were imprisoned, they prayed and sang hymns to the Lord as the other prisoners listened (Acts 16:25).

There is a joy that surpasses all understanding, and no matter what you face on this earth, it cannot be taken from you. It does, however, have a requirement. Jesus taught that we could have this joy if we kept His commandments, and directly under it said, Love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34). If we do not have love, we are nothing but noise like a clanging cymbal (1 Cor 13:1). People do not care what you know, until they know how much you care.

If we do love one other, we will be filled with His joy. I guess it does make sense that we cannot be filled with joy and anger, bitterness, jealousy and happiness at the same time. We are commanded to love each other; the only choice that we have is whether we will observe that. We can choose to show no love, and have no joy.

It is usually easy to love the Lord. After all, He is perfect and God is love (1John 4:16). The times where we had a disagreement always ended up with me changing my attitude, seeing things through His eyes, and never once Him because He was always right to begin with. Other people though, ouch. He really made us work for that joy when He said love your neighbor as yourself. It is not easy. You gotta want it. Love that neighbor.