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Our joy comes from the Holy Spirit, who promises to replace our sadness of repentance when we turn to God in our suffering. If you don't turn to God in your suffering but look for an easy way or something to mask the pain, you will find no joy; in fact, you will be in debt, in deficit, and prone to falling into depression.

Our physical body is designed for work, and yet its redemptive purpose is suffering that turns us back to God, who will replace it with joy. This is what the Son of God, Jesus Christ, participated in for our salvation. Indeed, He died, plundered hell, and was resurrected so that we too could be resurrected to a new glory as His bride.

Our peace comes from being peacemakers. It is a gift from God for those who act as priests, connecting Heaven and Earth and connecting people. Holy Communion is one such fine example of remembering and sharing Jesus, as is giving a cup of water to someone thirsty. 

If we choose to hoard our resources, our time, our emotions, our satisfaction, doubting God's capability and provision, and not share our lives sacrificially, expecting nothing in return,  we will be torn apart in our hearts and prone to anxiety.

Our righteousness comes from the Righteous One who has made us a new creation. No demon can change this status. Yet, just as a wedding day changes our status from single to married but does not magically change our behavior, our new status of being a new creation requires us to grow into it.

Our righteousness is promised, yet we have to align with our new creation status. When we align with our King as ambassadors of righteousness in a hostile world and declare His righteousness anyway, God promises we will be persecuted, yet we will also see some turn to the Righteous One. 

But when we get scared, mute our mouths, and hide from righteousness because it is inconvenient, confrontational, and invokes the wrath of the rebellious, we side with rebellion. When we fail to speak up, we let evil creep into our hearts, which stunts our growth and keeps us from fulfilling our potential. 

When God reviews our lives and dishes out awards to His faithful servants, will He find we have anything to show except our certificate of a new creation? How will He respond when we have nothing else to show for the talents He gave us?

When we allow the Righteousness of God, His Word, to shape our lives so we are more sensitive to the Holy Spirit, we can act as He does, as royal ambassadors of His kingdom, even as princes or princesses might. We will be just and merciful, slow to anger, faithful and true to our family, friends, neighbors, and enemies. God prescribed food, His word that keeps us healthy in this manner, reflecting His attributes in the way we deal with people.

But when we start to think of ourselves as better than others, that we deserve more and accumulate status, wealth, and power, our heart will be hardened towards others and God. This was satan's downfall; he traded in slander against God and humanity for position and power amongst his followers and was cast out of Heaven for it. Unlike satan who does not have a documented redemption plan, Jesus promises that we will be forgiven if we repent.