Our God-concept dramatically impacts our personality. If we think God is stoic and unemotional, then we will be stoic and unemotional. If we think He is wild and unpredictable, then we will be wild and unpredictable. If we think He is angry, we will be angry. If we think He is detached, we will be detached. If we think He is full of joy, then we will be full of joy. Our upbringing and religious experience influence greatly our God-concept; and, then, ultimately our own personality traits as well.

Certainly, God has varied emotions and cannot be limited to one particular personality trait; but if we don’t have revelation of His nature, we will ultimately limit our personal development and our wholeness. Hosea said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Our lack of revelation concerning the character of God will cause destruction to our potential and our influence upon others.

The Bible says, “In His presence is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11). Our joy will increase as we move into greater realms of His presence. Yes, we realize that His presence will not always produce joy; but if we never or rarely have “fullness of joy”, then we need to take serious inventory of our concept of God. It would be probable that we are under a religious deception that is hindering us from having the “joy of the Lord” become our strength.

It is safe to say that all of us need an adjustment in how we see God. It would also appear that the church of Jesus Christ needs a greater encounter with the joy of the Lord. Pray with me. “Oh God, open the eyes of my understanding to who You really are. Help me especially to see that You are emotional and that You have great joy.”

Declare: I have a relationship with a great God. He is awesome in every way. He is full of joy and throws a party in heaven whenever one person comes to Him through Jesus Christ. My concept of God is transformed daily into what it should be. Steve Backlund