Today we will explore biblical joy! Joy is the glad emotion that springs up after our reconciliation with God. It is different from happiness because it is not based on the circumstances around us but rather on the trust of the relationship within us. Joy cannot stand alone. It is dependent on the love that is shed abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5). Joy is the response to the love that we experience because of our salvation. It is a delighted response Christians have to the fact that we have been given a precious truth and understanding of a way of life that brings fulfillment—now and forever. In His presence, there is fullness of joy, not partial, but complete.
Galatians 5:22,23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
In this life, there will be many days of sorrow and unhappiness. James tells us that we are still to have joy even through trials.
James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;”
The word temptations in this verse means trials. Something we all will go through, but James is telling us we can count it as joy. How can this be? We can be joyful because we know that trials proceed from love and not from the fury of God. They are not allowed to make us fearful but are allowed to conform us to be like Christ. It becomes a mark of our adoption. Job suffered many trials, but it refined him as a child of God to “come forth as gold.” Trials will not make us happy because happiness is based on circumstances, but we can be joyful that we are counted worthy to be refined to be like Jesus.
Joy causes us to look up and outward. It is optimistic. Not because of what is happening to us but because of the one who is in us. Joy does not focus on self but looks to serve others. This feeling is enhanced as we see the effects that our relationship with Christ has on others.
Joy is composed of gratitude because we are grateful for the things God has done for us. In I Thessalonians 5:16, we are told to “rejoice evermore.” We can only do this as we experience true gratitude, a feeling that comes from knowing we are granted something we don’t deserve.
When you take away the things that God has told us are not of him, such as fear, anger, worry, greed, jealousy, pride, bitterness, and complaining, and add to our lives gratitude, forgiveness, faith, hope, and love, the result will always be joy!
