By Dan Blair, family and marriage counselor
Joy is described in the Bible as both a gift and a choice. Fullness of joy, and in fact, pleasures forevermore are found in the presence of God (Psalms 16:11). 1st Peter 1:8 suggests that we can rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. A joyful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22). Also Nehemiah 8:10 references joy as a strength. Paul’s prayer in Romans 15:13 asked that the God of hope fill us with joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Many references refer to God as the source of joy.
The Bible frequently commands joy, which implies we have a level of agency over it. If joy were purely a random feeling, commands to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16), would not make much sense. At the same time, we are admonished to be patient and constant in prayer in Romans 12:12.
The challenge is increased when we struggle. 2 Corinthians 7:4 says, “In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.” James 1:2–4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Romans 5:3–4 says, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” 2 Corinthians 12:10 says, “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” “In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him” (Ecclesiastes 7:14). Finding joy comes from depending on God.
How do we do this? Paul says the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy and patience among other positive attributes (Galatians 5:22). While the Spirit produces it, the individual is responsible for “abiding” in that connection to let the fruit grow. How do we abide in Christ? Abiding in Christ is less about striving and more about staying connected in relationship. When we believe God is present, we pay better attention. Jesus prays for his disciples that His joy will be in them, and that it will be full (John 15:12). It is in relationship with Jesus that joy matures, not just obeying out of duty.
What gets in the way?
- Self-reliance (“I’ve got this”)
- Shame (“I’ve messed up, so I’ll avoid God”)
- Distraction/noise
- Treating God like a task instead of a person
Can we say that struggle and joy can exist side by side? We find joy from God, in God, but also by our own actions. Psalm 118:24, among many, points to finding gratitude in the present. In His refuge and protection, we may have joy. Psalms 71:23, among many other passages, connects joy with praising God. On that basis, we also have hope. Imagine replacing guilt with gratitude, and worry with hope.
Joy is intrically connected with a relationship with Jesus fostering gratitude, faith and hope. It starts with daily dialogue. Loving God and maintaining your own joy “charges” you, and loving others is the “output.” Your personal joy and your love for others are interconnected in a feedback loop. We can ask of God in the name of Jesus that our joy may be complete in ways that reflect God’s active plan for our life (John 16:24). An example is from 2 Corinthians 8:1–2. “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 adds, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
