I have a small plaque on my desk that I’m particularly fond of. It reads: Joy: Gladness not based on circumstances. Although not Scriptural, these words are steeped in biblical truth as authentic joy is not connected to events, people, seasons of life, or personal happiness. Rather, true joy is internal, original with God, and experienced only through Him.

Joy is one of those abstract words like faith, hope, or love. It’s something you can’t see or touch, yet know it exists. Most commonly joy is understood as the emotion of happiness. Responses to this type of joy might be laughter, smiling, singing, whistling, and for the child-like and young at heart, even skipping. While these positive expressions provide a visual context for joy, there remains much more to joy than feelings of exuberance.

So What Exactly is Joy?

Joy is a fundamental biblical teaching, a significant core value of the Christian faith, and is listed in the top three of nine spiritual fruits included in Galatians 5. Additionally joy is a dominant theme woven throughout Scripture, and is referenced anywhere from 165-200 times depending upon bible translation. Further joy is a distinct quality of God’s persona. And finally, joy is a symbol of strength and a source of renewal (Nehemiah 8:10, Philippians 4:4).

To fully comprehend joy, I find it also helpful to eliminate what it is not. While it’s evident that joy is the opposite of sadness, depression, or despair, it may not be as apparent that joy is not synonymous with happiness. While happiness is a by-product of joy, it is merely a fraction of the whole, as authentic joy is far more than a temporary feeling or positive emotion.

Happiness is based on circumstances, but joy is centered on God. Happiness is temporal, but joy is eternal. Happiness comes from without, while joy comes from within. Happiness fades with time, but joy is a living spirit producing lasting fruit.

God is the Source of Joy

Revealed in Scripture is the indisputable fact that God is joy. And to be clear it’s not that God is simply joyful. There’s obviously nothing incredibly unique about that. Plenty of people fit that description. What is significant however is the fact that God is joy-filled. He is complete joy, in the same manner He is total love and perfect peace. And further, He is the source of joy for His people.

  • God’s Word brings joy and delight (Jeremiah 15:16).
  • God’s commands bring joy to the heart (Psalm 19:8).
  • God’s deliverance results in laughter and joy (Psalm 126:2).
  • God’s protection inspires joyful praise (Psalm 5:11).
  • God’s presence brings fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).

Joy in the Flesh

In the Old Testament, God’s people experienced joy through Him, but in the New Testament God literally sent joy to them. The incarnation of Jesus ushered in a whole new era of joy, and for the very first time in history, the physical, tangible presence of joy was made visible.

Jesus’s birth was cause for great joy indeed, yet His nativity was merely the beginning of the surpassingly great joy He consistently revealed while on earth. Throughout His life and ministry, Jesus perfectly modeled joy. He was empowered by joy (Luke 10:21). He prayed for His followers to experience the fullness of His joy (John 16:24). And the promise of future joy empowered Him to endure His death on the cross (Hebrews 12:2).

The Gift of Joy

Joy is a gift of the Holy Spirit received by faith and activated by choice. Joy isn’t a frivolous, insignificant, or trivial gift. Nor is it a little something extra, similar to a stocking stuffer. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Instead joy is a purposeful, powerful gift that Jesus predetermined for us to have knowing we would need it. And not simply for sunny days, but far more significantly for the cloudy, stormy, turbulent times of life.

Life on earth isn’t consistently easy for anyone. And Christ-followers aren’t exempt from hardships. In truth Jesus warned his disciples before his ascension that life on earth would be difficult in his absence, encouraging them to choose cheer over despair (John 16:33). And the Apostle James actually challenged rethinking trials as conduits for joy (James 1:2). The fact is that at various seasons in our lives everyone faces difficulties and challenges. And it is precisely for these times that we need to anchor our position and perspective in joy.

Through the changing seasons of my life I’ve been delighted with joy in triumphs, strengthened by joy through trials, and comforted by joy in sorrows. This proves to me once again that joy is a vital necessity, hardly a petty indulgence. Further, I am growing in my appreciation of the tremendous benefit joy is to my overall well-being. I’ve discovered when my “joy tank” is low, I am affected not just emotionally, but also physically, spiritually, and mentally as well. I believe it is for this very reason the Apostle Paul charged the believers in Philippi to rejoice always (Philippians 4:4), and similarly he encouraged the believers in Thessalonica to always be joyful (1 Thessalonians 5:16). Admittedly the Scriptural exhortations to continually and consistently be joy-filled seem unattainable, and potentially unrealistic. And quite frankly from a human perspective, they truly are. However, when we recognize that joy is a gift that God has freely given and placed inside of us, then we are liberated from working for joy and released to walking in joy.

Finding Joy

In closing, there certainly is a lot of discussion in our world regarding happiness. Phrases like I only want to be happy, God just wants me happy, and I’m doing everything possible to be happy are commonplace. Even the song, Don’t Worry, Be Happy has become an internal mantra for our culture. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with happiness, the problem is it promises but can’t deliver, as it is temporary and fleeting. Happiness is connected to happenings which fluctuate daily, but joy is tethered to God who is eternal, and is therefore consistent regardless of circumstances.

Joy is a gift from the Holy Spirit and is found first and foremost in a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Additionally joy is experienced through service, worship, giving, and by living in unity, harmony, and community with fellow believers. And finally joy will never be found in the approval of others, in accolades, achievements, possessions, or successes. Seeking joy in any of these areas will eventually lead to disappointment and emptiness. However, receiving authentic and sustainable joy that comes from God alone will become for us a continual source of joy that will never end.

 

May the God of hope fill you with all JOY and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬


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Community Question of the Week

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When have you experienced the true joy of the Lord? Be specific.

Reflect

In what ways are you negatively impacted when your joy tank is low? What practical steps can you take to maintain a healthy, consistent joy level?

Pray

Father God, thank you for empowering us through the gift of joy. Thank you that the joy that comes from you both sustains and strengthens us. Help us to remember that joy is not connected to our circumstances, rather to you. Thank you that we can consistently experience true joy in every season because you are with us, for us and living in us. Amen

Worship

The Joy (Feat. David Dennis) // The Belonging Co