02-25-2026 PART 3: Restore the Flow: Returning to the Joy of Salvation

Section 1

The restoration of joy is not about eliminating feelings, nor is it about letting feelings rule. Scripture acknowledges both truth and emotion. Jeremiah 17:9 warns that the heart can be deceptive, yet that does not mean feelings are inherently wrong. Psalm 139 celebrates being fearfully and wonderfully made—language filled with gratitude and joy. The issue is not the existence of feelings but their leadership. Truth drives the train, not emotion. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Feelings ride along, but they do not determine direction. Living by feelings alone creates instability; living by truth anchors the soul. The love of God remains constant whether emotions cooperate or not. Faith rests in what God has declared, not in fluctuating internal responses.

Section 2

The deeper issue behind lost joy traces back to Genesis 3. Salvation secures believers from the penalty of sin, yet ongoing fellowship can be disrupted. When sin enters, it clogs the pipe between heaven and earth. Jesus told Peter that cleansing was necessary—not because Peter was unsaved, but because he had gathered dirt along the way. Confession restores flow; it does not re-earn redemption. When Israel lost to Ai, it was not because God abandoned them but because hidden sin hindered them. Once addressed, victory returned. Revelation reminds the church that they “left” their first love; it does not say it was stolen. If God feels distant, He did not move. Access remains open through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. Ownership of disconnection is the first step toward restoration.

Section 3

Romans 5:5 reveals the mechanism of restored joy: God pours His love into hearts through the Holy Spirit. The Trinity works together—grace through Jesus, love from the Father, fellowship by the Spirit. Quenching or grieving the Holy Spirit restricts that outpouring. The early “honeymoon” of faith was marked by fresh awareness of the Spirit’s presence, Scripture alive, and communion vibrant. That experience was not illusion; it was fellowship. Restoration comes by returning—confessing, yielding, reopening the pipe. The joy of salvation is not gone; it is accessible. The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” The invitation stands 24-7. God has not withdrawn. The flow resumes when hearts turn back, and joy floods once more.