Seeking Joy in the Bible

STRENGTHENING & GROWING IN YOUR FAITH

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The majority of our society daily strives to find happiness. People look for happiness in the perfect body, boyfriend, car, talent or job. People escape their unhappiness in unhealthy habits, addictions, possessions, appearances and entertainment. In reality, what they’re looking for isn’t happiness, but rather joy. The two are very different, one can be satisfied momentarily, and the other can only be satisfied with the substance of the Lord.

What Joy’s Worth

People buy things and seek possessions for happiness, but are willing to sell everything they have to gain joy because they know that the value of joy is greater than anything on earth. There’s a great story in the book of Matthew that demonstrates the fulfillment of joy fully realized. “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44) When we encounter the Lord and His salvation, we will go out of our way to obtain more of Him and will live a life joyfully pursuing Him.

Believing in God’s Goodness Brings Joy

Joy is for all people, and God desires for us all to live in joy, but how do we discover this joy that we earnestly desire? The simple answer is that we experience joy when we’re in God’s presence. Scripture says that God fills our hearts and the light of God’s face shines upon us and brings us joy. This doesn’t mean that the only time we experience joy is when we’re in church. It means that believing in God’s goodness brings us joy. His goodness comes from helping the lost, forgiving those who have hurt us, forgiving ourselves, repenting of our sins and turning toward God’s will again. Believing in God’s goodness means realizing God’s mercy and grace. Joy comes from the knowledge we gain of how God’s mercy and grace keeps us away from what we deserve – a life apart from God.

The “good news” of Jesus Christ, our salvation gained from Him conquering death through the resurrection, brings us joy. When we understand the significance of Jesus’ life and death we experience joy. It sinks in through the activation of the Holy Spirit. Christ’s joy is constantly accessible through the Spirit within us. When we engage in a relationship with Christ, we live a more virtuous life. A life that is in tune with the desires of Jesus’ heart guides us closer to joy.

Seeking Joy in the Bible

The Bible says that joy comes to the upright and righteous. Philippians 2:1-5 says, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” This means that our joy is made complete by being like-minded with Christ – having the same love, spirit and purpose as Him. Truly joy simply comes from living life and being present with Christ in every moment.

We cannot fully grasp joy unless we experience the opposite. John 15:9-11 speaks of how joy is found after sorrow and persecution. It comes from hardship that’s overcome, a challenge that’s met, as well as a spirit that’s renewed. Remaining in God’s love and obeying his commands creates joy. Joy is caused by the destruction of evil.

Recognizing True Joy

Now that we know how to access joy, how will we recognize true joy in our lives? When we feel blessed or are being a blessing, the feeling of joy can easily be recognized. When we are kind to others when the world around them is unkind. When we offer words of encouragement that lift someone’s spirit, we understand what joy feels likes. When we count our blessings and focus on the gifts we’ve been given rather than the things that pull us down, we are experiencing joy. Joy can be felt when as accept God’s goodness. It’s an emotion that evolves around our well-being, success or good fortune, gladness or delight. Joy is being glad or having faith, regardless of our circumstances. It’s rejoicing the Lord, even when things are difficult or we feel desperate.

Several times the Bible describes joy as being expressed physically. Whether you express joy physically, or just feel this inner vibrancy, that’s another way of recognizing joy. When you simply feel like praising the Lord, celebrating His incredible character and dancing, you’re in the midst of joy. Praising God is a common association with joy, all the earth praises His glory; it’s not only an experience designated solely for humans. Angels proclaim joy as well. So, even the heavenly realm explodes with joy, and this glory influences our environment and our hearts.

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” We’ve heard this before. We can identify joy in our life through our strength. When we are strong in heart, character or even physically, we are immersed in joy. John 16:20-24 describes joy in such a beautiful and unique way: It speaks about how the world rejoices in the dispelling of Jesus, but when He returns, our joy will be complete. John compares this to a mother giving birth to her baby. During the labor, she’s in pain, but when the child comes, joy consumes her so she forgets her prior suffering. The Lord wants us to experience joy, He wants us to ask for it, and He will gladly provide, “Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:24)

Praying with joy activated much of Paul’s ministry. He prayed with joy throughout his travels and even in jail while writing what has now become our New Testament. We too can experience joy through prayer, and pray to receive more of God’s joy. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Tell us how you know you’re experiencing joy. We want to know what God’s doing in your life that helps you recognize His joy and goodness. Email us, message us or #niNeFindsJoy to Twitter or Instagram.

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