“Joy is the inevitable result of gentleness.” Gentleness means that fear is now impossible. Gentleness is strength, and fear is weakness, so the two cannot be in the same mind at the same time. And when fear is absent, what can come to interfere with joy?

The open hands of gentleness are always filled.

The gentle have no pain. They cannot suffer.

So why would the teachers of God not be joyous? They have everything and they cannot suffer. The gentle are sure they are loved and must be safe. Thus, joy goes with gentleness as surely as grief attends attack.

Who among us does not want to experience joy? Yet many still believe it is not appropriate to feel joy unless something really wonderful happens. Consequently, in the ego’s eyes, anything more than occasional joy amounts to a state of being out of touch with reality, a sort of self-imposed euphoria. Also in this world there appear to be occasions where experiencing and expressing joy is not always acceptable in the world’s sight. At funerals, and “accidents” and perhaps when another is “down and out” and telling you their tale of woe.

The teacher of God, however, does not see joy as an isolated response to specific events. Instead, it is his response to the true nature of reality, a radiant reality that lies just behind the drab appearances the body’s eyes often see. It is his “yes” to his Father of boundless generosity, to God Who goes with him wherever he goes and Who covers him with kindness and with care. (W-41.Heading, W-222.1:4)

The joy of a teacher of God, therefore, has a limitless foundation. Hence, there is no need to scale it down to fit within the limits of caution and proportion and acceptability. Further, being based on the nature of reality, it is not an irrational dream; it is perfectly sane and rational. And since it is also based on that which never changes, it is not a fleeting emotion. Rather, his joy has become a fundamental character trait. He is able to look upon any circumstance, no matter how dark and threatening it may appear, and say to his God with perfect sincerity, “I am safe, untroubled and serene, in endless joy, because it is Your Will that it be so.” (W-329.1:9)

God’s teachers trust in Him. And they are sure His Teacher goes before them, making sure no harm can come to them. They hold His gifts and follow in His way, because God’s Voice directs them in all things. Joy is their song of thanks. And Christ looks down on them in thanks as well. His need of them is just as great as theirs of Him. How joyous it is to share the purpose of salvation! How joyous to know that GOD IS.

Prayer:

Father, we come to You today to seek the gentleness and joy that You alone can give. We come in silence. In the quiet of our heart, the deep recesses of our mind, we wait and listen for Your Voice. AMEN

MANUAL FOR TEACHERS

4.V. JOY

RECAP

1. Joy is the inevitable result of gentleness.” Gentleness means that fear is now impossible.

2. Gentleness is strength, and fear is weakness, so the two cannot be in the same mind at the same time. It is the same as darkness disappearing in light. Fear disappears with the advent of gentleness.

3. The gentle have no pain. They cannot suffer. This is tidings of joy.

4. Joy is the teacher of God’s response to the true nature of reality, a radiant reality that belies the drab appearances the body’s eyes see. Use Christ’s vision to see truly.

5. The joy of a teacher of God has a limitless foundation, therefore it is not an idle dream. It enables him to say to any circumstance, no matter how dark and forbidding it may appear to the body’s eyes:

“I am safe, untroubled and serene, in endless joy, because it is Your Will that it be so.”

(W-329.1:9)

6. God’s teachers trust in Him. And they are sure His Teacher goes before them, making sure no harm can come to them. Joy is their song of gratitude.

7. And Christ looks on them in gratitude as well. His need of them is just as great as theirs of Him. How joyous it is to share the purpose of salvation with Him – and with the Christ in each other! GOD IS.