Henri Nouwen Quotes

Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in this world.

Spirituality lies in regarding existence merely as a vehicle for contemplation, and contemplation merely a vehicle for joy.

Why would anyone walk through life satisfied with the light from the candle of their own understanding when, by reaching out to our Heavenly Father, they could experience the bright sun of spiritual knowledge that would expand their minds with wisdom and fill their souls with joy?

Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God.

I had joy always, because 'the joy of the Lord is my strength.' I mean, that is the truth.

To be spiritual means you have cosmic ambitions. You want to know not just the whole creation but the Creator and the source of creation as well. To be material means you have petty ambitions of owning a house - or 10 houses - or a whole apartment building.

Joy is what we are, not what we must get. Joy is the realization that all we want or need in life has been etched into our souls. Joy helps us see not what we are "going through," but what we are "growing to"-a greater sense of understanding, accomplishment, and enlightenment. Joy reveals to us the calm at the end of the storm, the peace that surpasses the momentary happiness of pleasure. If we keep our minds centered on joy, joy becomes a state of mind.

Divine love is perfect peace and joy, it is a freedom from all disquiet, it is all content and happiness; and makes everything to rejoice in itself.

Real joy is not found in having the best of everything but in trusting that God is making the best of everything.

A college which does not confer the knowledge of the Spiritual Reality to the students who are engaged in the pursuit of various material studies, is as barren as the sky without the moon, or a heart without peace, or a nation without reference to law.

If we celebrate life with all its contradictions, embrace, experience, and ultimately live with it, a chance exists for a spiritual life filled not only with pain and untidiness, but also with joy, community, and creativity.

Joy is a spiritual element that gives vicissitudes unity and significance.

Holy joy will be oil to the wheels of our obedience.

Joy is a sure sign of the presence of God in your life.

There is the joy of one's own salvation. I thought, when I first tasted that, it was the most delicious joy I had ever known, and that I could never get beyond it. But I found, afterward, there was something more joyful that, namely, the joy of the salvation of others.

The Lord Jesus is a deep sea of joy; my soul shall dive therein, shall be swallowed up in the delights of his society.

Jesus continues to offer light, joy, and peace to today's generation.

We have God's joy in our blood.

There are other kinds of joy found in other places in the world, but there is no place where you can find Christian joy except in Christ.

If you are not radiant with joy and friendliness, if you are not filled to overflowing with love and goodwill for all beings and all creatures and all creation, one thing is certain: you do not know God!

Do not be afraid of what God asks of you! It is worth saying 'yes' to God. In him we find joy.

God is not a God of sadness, death, etc., but the devil is. Christ is a God of joy, and so the Scriptures often say that we should rejoice ... A Christian should and must be a cheerful person.

The joy of the Lord will arm us against the assaults of our spiritual enemies, and, put our mouths out of taste for those pleasures with which the tempter baits his hooks.

The soul is love, joy. Joy. Peace. Wisdom.