Our life may seem to be a pattern of hills and valleys. As we get older and begin to experience the events of life, our joy seems to disappear. That’s why we despise change and try to avoid it because it feels better when we’re following an established routine.
Let’s be honest, life is more comfortable when we’re on a hill, or at least that’s what we think. There’s even a myth we have created in our head that if we reach a certain goal or wealth we will eventually live the life we always dreamed of.
As much as we wished a life without troubles existed, it’s unrealistic. As kids, we lived a care-free life and that was the closest experience we will have of a problem-free life. We didn’t have the responsibilities of paying bills and we were unaware of the world outside our home.
The good news is that the Bible paints a beautiful picture of the relationship we should have with the struggles of life and joy. Trials are not the main point of our story, but it’s what we experience from them.
1) Joy in Suffering
Don’t run from suffering. It’s comfortable to feel comfortable, but the Bible encourages us not to run from suffering.
How can we relate suffering to something good? James from the Bible explains that trials mold us into the person we’re supposed to become, lacking nothing.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4
Let’s pause there. There’s a guarantee that if we persevere through trials we can become people that lack nothing.
For example, we can see how soldiers train intensively. In their first weeks of training, they are stripped from technology, communication with family, cravings, and everything they ever knew. They are trained to survive what is to come. In the end, when they’re faced with a battle they will lack nothing. They will know how to survive with nothing but the training that has prepared them for that specific time.
James encourages us to see trials from a different perspective. Not that struggles are easy to go through, but it’s a simple suggestion to see them as pure joy.
In our trials, we are transformed. Trials can rip old habits away, remove negative mentality, and destroy ungodly ties. With every test we are maturing in the faith. We are becoming Christians with thick skin that no situation or person can break. This means that our reliability will no longer be in this world. We will be able to persevere till the end of our life.
James 1:12 says “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
Our joy comes from the hope we have in knowing that one day we will live eternally with the one who loves us.
But wait, that’s not all. The reason why that’s enough is that we can experience it both on Earth and in Heaven. We don’t have to wait for the future to experience joy.
2) Joy That We Can’t Get Anywhere Else
Thankfully, life is not all about suffering because God’s word says it’s possible to be filled with complete joy. As human beings, we have the ability to feel God’s presence. If we can do that, then we can also get filled with the joy God offers.
The joy that God gives us is beyond feeling happy. It’s not a feeling that will be dictated by our moods. The Bible emphasizes that this joy is complete!
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
John 15:11
The joy God promises goes beyond what this world considers wealth and satisfaction. While some people get fulfilled when they buy everything they want, or some consider wine their happy place, Kind David’s request to God is to fill his heart with joy beyond those things.
Psalm 4:7 “Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.”
3) Our Source
We can satisfy ourselves with God’s joy through intimacy, in his presence. That’s the key to our search. The Bible says that emerging ourselves in God’s presence is where we can delight ourselves. To some of us it may be through prayer, worship, or reading our Bible.
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Psalm 16:11
The Apostle Paul tells us that it’s through the Holy Spirit that we find righteousness, peace, and joy.
Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,”
Again, we are encouraged to seek joy in the Lord because it’s the only place our thirst for happiness will find satisfaction.
Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
In fact, having joy is an attribute that should spring out of us because we have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior. The feeling of triumph should be something we experience every day, despite our troubles. Not to say we should fake a smile when we’re facing hardships, but knowing that…
…is what helps us feel joyous every day. In other words, our problems do not defeat us, because we serve a greater God.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23
Also, let’s remember that as Christians we were never promised a life without struggle. We are susceptible to hardships like everyone else. In fact, one thing that the Bible tells us is that we will face troubles and tribulations. Another truth is that God’s mercies are new every morning.
Psalm 30:5 “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
4) How To Practice Joy
We practice joy by rejoicing one day at a time. Not worrying or feeling anxious about tomorrow, but simply thanking God for today. The Bible reminds us that each day has enough troubles of its own, so whenever we feel overwhelmed by our future let’s remember that God calls us to rejoice about today.
“The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.”
Psalm 118:24
The Bible says that our lips will rejoice the moment we begin to celebrate and sing to God. It’s a simple and powerful tool we can apply to our routine. As we sing, we can remember where God delivered us from and know that if he did it before, he can do it again.
Psalm 71:23 says, “My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you—I whom you have delivered.”
Another way we can experience joy is by focusing on others. God is constantly moving, not just in our lives but in the lives of our brothers and sisters. When new people accept Christ as their Lord and Savior Heaven rejoices. When we rejoice with those who rejoice, then it removes our mind from focusing on our problems; instead, we view what truly matters.
Luke 15:10 “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
5) Even In Our Tears
Although God’s word says we can experience complete joy here on Earth, we may feel far from joyous at times because every distraction pulls us away from that perfect place. Once we transition to our eternal bodies, our joy will never cease!
Psalm 126:5 says, “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”
There will be times when the last thing we feel is joy. Sometimes life will harden us, but we have the right as children of God to pray and ask God to restore the joy we once had. If we have never experienced the joy of salvation, then we can ask God for it. We can ask God to put in us the joy we desire each day until the end.
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
Psalm 51:12
Prayer for Joy
Lord,
I thank you for the joy of my salvation. Thank you for where you have delivered me from.
Today, I repent for any unforgiveness, bitterness, or anger I have in my heart. I forgive myself and those who have hurt me. I ask you to restore and open my heart to receive the joy that your word promises. Help me to rejoice through my trials and tribulations. Whenever I begin to focus on my own problems, remind me that it’s only in your presence that I can find satisfaction. Help me to see my problems through your eyes, knowing that everything is molding me to become a mature soldier in your Kingdom that lacks nothing. Help me not to seek joy in places that offer temporary satisfaction. I want to to overflow with your joy. Again, I thank you for each new day because I know joy comes in the morning.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.