In a world that often equates joy with fleeting happiness, we’re called to discover a deeper, more enduring wellspring of gladness. This isn’t about plastering on a smile when life turns sour or pretending everything’s fine when it’s clearly not. No, we’re talking about a joy that defies logic, a joy that stands firm even when the ground beneath our feet is shaking.
But what exactly is this joy, and where does it come from?
To understand true joy, we must first distinguish it from mere happiness. Happiness is often circumstantial – it ebbs and flows with the tides of our daily experiences. We’re happy when things go our way, when the weather’s nice, or when we achieve a goal. But what happens when life throws us a curveball? What about those times when nothing seems to be going right?
This is where joy enters the picture. Joy, as described in Galatians 5:22 as a fruit of the Spirit, is something far more profound than a fleeting emotion. It’s a state of being, a spiritual reality that exists independently of our external circumstances.
Consider the early Christians in Thessalonica. In 1 Thessalonians 1:6, we read that they “having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.” Picture that scene for a moment. These believers were facing persecution and hardship for their faith. By all worldly standards, they should have been miserable. Yet, in the midst of their trials, they experienced a joy that defied explanation.
This wasn’t a joy conjured up by positive thinking or sheer willpower. It was a joy that came directly from the Holy Spirit.
But how does this work in practice? How can we tap into this wellspring of joy when everything around us seems to be falling apart?
The key lies in where we fix our gaze. When we focus solely on our circumstances, we’ll inevitably be tossed about by the winds of fortune. But when we anchor ourselves in the unchanging truths of who God is and who we are in Christ, we find a stable foundation for joy.
Think about the Apostle Paul. Here was a man who faced shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonment, and constant danger. Yet, in Acts 26:2, as he stood on trial before King Agrippa, he declared, “I think myself happy.” How could Paul possibly be happy in such dire straits? Because his joy wasn’t rooted in his circumstances, but in his unshakeable relationship with God.
This brings us to a crucial point: joy is intimately connected with charity. In 1 Corinthians 13, that famous chapter on charity, we read that love “Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth” (verse 6). When we truly love as God loves – valuing what He values and seeing the world through His eyes – we discover a wellspring of joy that transcends our circumstances.
Consider how this plays out in our daily lives. When we face a setback at work, instead of spiraling into despair, we can choose to rejoice in the truth that our job performance does not define our identity and worth, but rather our status as beloved children of God. When relationships strain, we can find joy not in the temporary peace of avoiding conflict, but in the opportunity to grow in Christlike love and forgiveness.
This isn’t to say that cultivating joy is easy. Far from it. Our natural inclination is often to wallow in self-pity or lash out in anger when things don’t go our way. But here’s the beautiful truth: we don’t have to manufacture this joy on our own. It’s a fruit of the Spirit, something that God Himself produces in us as we yield to His word in our lives.
Remember the words of Nehemiah 8:10: “. . . for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” This isn’t just a nice saying to embroider on a pillow. It’s a profound spiritual reality. When we tap into God’s joy, we find strength to endure trials, courage to face our fears, and resilience in the face of life’s storms.
So how do we cultivate this kind of joy in our lives? Here are a few practical steps:
- Saturate yourself in God’s truth. Spend time daily in Scripture, reminding yourself of who God is and who you are in Christ.
- Practice gratitude. Even in difficult circumstances, there’s always something to be thankful for. Train your mind to look for these blessings.
- Serve others. Paradoxically, we often find the greatest joy when we stop focusing on ourselves and start pouring out love to those around us.
- Surround yourself with joyful believers. Joy is contagious. Spend time with those who radiate the joy of the Lord, even in difficult circumstances.
As we close, let’s remember that joy isn’t just a nice addition to our Christian lives – it’s a powerful testimony to the world. In a culture obsessed with pursuing happiness through external means, our unexplainable joy in the midst of trials can be a beacon of hope, pointing others to the source of true and lasting fulfillment.
May we be a people marked not by fleeting happiness, but by a deep, abiding joy that flows from our relationship with God. May we face life’s ups and downs with the unshakeable confidence that comes from knowing we are loved, valued, and held secure in the hands of our Heavenly Father. And may our joy be a light that draws others to experience the transforming power of God’s love in their own lives.
Pastor Bryan Ross
Grace Life Bible Church
Grand Rapids, MI
September 19, 2025
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