We all want to be happy, so the Bible promise of Joy is a wonderful thing. However we may not be aware how to receive and live in the Joy of the Lord. It is possible you are missing joy you are supposed to have. So, let’s see if we can find you some more Joy.
Joy is a Fruit of the Spirit, one of the things produced within us by the Holy Spirit’s work.
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness” Galatians 5:22
“The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
The Holy Spirit is also linked to joy in the Apostle Paul’s description of God’s Kingdom. Paul points out that the Kingdom of God is focused on three things: being right with God; having peace; and having joy through the Holy Spirit.
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17
One way for us to experience more joy is to keep filled with the Spirit of God. We are urged to be ‘filled with the Spirit’, which suggests we need to be filled over and over again.
“Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord” Ephesians 5:18,19
I need to point out that joy is not the same as laughter. Joy is a much deeper thing than giggling or being in a happy mood for a time. The difference can be understood by comparing the waves on the ocean to the ocean current deep below.
The waves are visible and splashy, like someone laughing at a party and having a good time. The current, however, is unseen, yet it moves huge amounts of water around the globe.
A person having fun and laughing will be heard and seen and the impression will be that they are having a great time. Yet we all know that laughter is not the same as happiness and it’s not the same as joy. It can be really quite shallow and hide a heart filled with pain and despair. Wise King Solomon noted that.
“Laughter can hide a heavy heart, and when the laughter ends the grief remains.” Proverbs 14:13
“I said of laughter, It is folly, and of pleasure, What does it accomplish?” Ecclesiastes 2:2
The waves on an ocean can splash in whatever direction they want but the true ocean movement is in the unseen tidal flow below the waves.
I interviewed international motivational speaker Zig Ziglar many years ago. He recommended that people be upbeat and positive in life. He told me that one day he heard a lady observe to her friend at a meal break, “Zig doesn’t look very ‘up’ to me.” That lady thought being ‘up’ was to be in some excited state all the time. Zig assured me he was ‘up’, feeling positive and upbeat on the inside, but he didn’t need to make a show of it, and he wasn’t in performance mode as he has to be on stage.
In the same way we can be joyful deep on the inside, feeling confident in God, happy with the direction of life, content with what God is doing with us. Yet we may look perfectly ordinary, without any raucous laughter or giddy giggling. We know the current running deep in our life is moving us closer and closer to God and to our eternal rewards.
Joy bursts through in our lives at times, but it is there even when it can’t be seen. Jesus’ disciples were arrested on one occasion and beaten for testifying about Jesus. This filled them with joy. It was painful and uncomfortable, yet it was wonderfully joyful. They realised they were counted worthy to suffer the same treatment the religious leaders put Jesus through.
“They left the presence of the council, rejoicing to be counted worthy to suffer dishonour for Jesus’ name.” Acts 5:41
Because joy is the deep current in our lives, sustained by the Holy Spirit within us, we can access that joy when we choose to. An example of that comes from the days of Nehemiah, when the people became distressed on learning how they had offended God. Nehemiah called them to draw from joy, not their distress. He reminded them they had access to the ‘Joy of the Lord’.
“This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep. For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Go and eat the fat and drink the sweet and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:9,10
If you have been overcome by anxieties and sorrows stop to recognise that the Lord is your strength and defender. This is the day the Lord has made. You can choose to put aside your discomfort and celebrate in joy for all the Lord is doing, even in the middle of your troubles.
“This is the day the Lord made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
Joy is there, even if you can’t see it for the waves splashing on top of your life. God’s tide of joy and God’s continuing work to bring you closer to Himself are treasures you can draw from, even in the storms of life. The tide is not stopped by the storms on the surface.
The ability to stop and find joy in your life is a gift from God. Accept that gift and pay attention to the joy running deep in your life.
“Everyone should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 3:13
Don’t despise that gift. Take time to enjoy the life God has given you. It is God’s gift to you.
And remember that there is always joy in God’s presence. It is a joy that is rich and full. So bring your concerns into God’s presence. Wait on Him and let Him bring comfort and joy to your heart.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
God bless you as you discover more of the joy God has provided for your life. May you ever and in every situation find you are blessed with Joy in Life.
Leave a Reply