What is the true meaning of Joy? Let us look first at what joy is not. It is not happiness or gladness alone. These things play a part, but joy has an additional facet; that of consistency or steadfastness. Unlike happiness, joy is always present in Christ. It is never taken away by circumstances. When Jesus gives a gift, He doesn’t take it away. He leaves it in place to be accessed and leaned on when needed. Joy is assured in all situations.
Many people today are concerned with the pursuit of happiness. When circumstances go according to our plan, it makes us glad, and we feel comfortable and successful. However, when the situations in life do not go as we imagine they should, we become unhappy.
No one likes to be unhappy. No one likes to live in a negative space. Positivity is the place we want to live. We desire to be uplifted and to feel good. Think with me for a moment. How much of your life has been perfect and how much has been imperfect? My guess is the imperfect outweighs the perfect in your life. I know it has in mine. Our world is full of sickness, disease, danger, heartache, and loss. These issues make us fearful, anxious, depressed, and desperate. We say, “why can I not just be happy?”
This is the trouble with the desire for happiness. It is elusive. Though nobody would ever ask to be sad, heartbroken, or afraid; we often find ourselves in that valley because we live in a broken world.
But God, in His infinite wisdom has given us a gift called Joy. It is not like happiness or gladness as those things are circumstantial. They are only present when situations are going right in our world. When the storms of life begin to swell like the waves on a raging sea, it is God’s gift of joy that prevails.
His mercy, His love, His grace is granted to you when you place your full trust in Jesus as your savior. It is through Christ that we have joy in all circumstances. It is through Christ that we can rejoice when the worst things happen to us or around us. It is through Christ that we can be joyful when our heart is aching and when we don’t know what to do.
How, you ask, can I have joy in brokenness? True joy is found only in Jesus Christ. In knowing him and trusting that what he says is true. That he came to rescue you from a life of sin in this world and to redeem you to a forever life of love and joy in heaven.
When you are rescued by Jesus, all the painful, scary, destructive things that happen no longer cause crippling desperation to your soul, but a hope in knowing He has as plan for your future on a path less traveled.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly. “
~ John 10:10
The world wants to destroy you. But God has the answer. He has sent a rescuer. His son Jesus. Trust Jesus to help you in and out of the battle. He promised he would walk with us through the deep darkness of our lives (Psalm 23). Let him lead you like the shepherd he is, to the higher ground and abundant life he has made for you. Stay close to Him and engage with Him through reading His Word and praying. He has give us an entire book of the Bible on the topic of Joy. Read the book of Philippians. It’s only four chapters. Look carefully for the words ‘joy’ and ‘rejoice’. See what is being said in the context surrounding these words in each instance. It will set your heart free. He will not let you down, He will give you Joy.
©️ 2023 Leah E Miller All Rights Reserved Worldwide
So true and yet so hard to hold on to sometimes!