What Is Christian Joy? Finding Joy in Difficult Times
Introduction
Everybody wants to be happy.
We rejoice over good things.
When we get good news we smile.
We are happy when our plans are successful.
However, what happens when life doesn't go as planned?
What do you do when you lose someone you loved?
When is it that prayers are not answered?
When money becomes tight?
What to do when a relationship is over?
When you are disappointed, lonely or uncertain?
The Bible provides a wonderful solution: Christian joy is not solely a function of the situation.
Joy is one of the Fruit of the Spirit:
But the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance...
Galatians 5:22–23, KJV
Joy in the Bible is not the attitude of pretending things are ok.
It is a sure trust in God that He is good, faithful and never absent—even when life is hard.
What is Christian Joy?
Christian joy is a joy that is rooted in God and is based on God's providence.
It's not about feeling happy for a fleeting moment.
Happiness often depends upon circumstances.
When things change, joy can still persist.
It is possible for one to be sad and still have joy.
It's okay to feel sad and have hope too.
When uncertainty arises, you can look to God and place your trust in Him.
In Christian joy, there is no place for the denial of pain.
It points to the faithfulness of God, beyond the pain.
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is joy!
Paul mentions joy right after love:
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy...
So, Christian joy is not just a matter of positive thinking.
It is born in believers by the Holy Spirit.
Our source of joy slowly changes as we draw nearer and nearer to Christ.
Do not rely solely on:
Money
Success
Relationships
Recognition
Comfort
Circumstances
we discover how to experience a lasting joy in God.
Jesus wants His followers to have joy!
Jesus had a lot to say about joy.
He said to His apostles:
I have told you these things, so that your joy might be full in yourselves.
John 15:11
Notice something remarkable.
Jesus was not promising to make life easy for Himself.
He was offering a happiness that was based on relationship with Him.
Christian happiness is to stay in connection with Christ.
Joy is not the same as happiness.
This is a significant difference.
Happiness says:
I am glad – something good has happened.
Joy says:
When bad things happen, God's goodness still prevails.
Good things can come to an end.
The basis of Christian happiness is greater.
It's okay to cry without losing faith in God.
Grieve and praise Him at the same time.
You could be fearful, but you know that God is faithful.
Sadness and happiness can co-exist.
Joy During Suffering
The first thing about scripture that's a surprise is that believers can have joy in suffering.
James writes:
My brethren, rejoice in all things...
James 1:2
James is not commanding Christians to experience suffering.
He is showing them how to see what God can create because of trials.
He goes on to say that testing brings patience and spiritual maturity.
Pain doesn't have to be a source of joy.
It's a joy to know that God can use the pain for His purposes.
Paul Found Joy in Prison
Paul is one of the best illustrations of a Christian's joy.
He experienced:
Beatings
Imprisonment
Rejection
Hunger
Shipwreck
Persecution
However, Paul continually preached to those who believed that they should rejoice.
During his imprisonment he composed:
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4
He was in desperate straits.
He wasn't happy because of his situation.
It was centered upon Christ.
The enjoyment of knowing God with the fullness of the whole person.
Circumstances constantly change.
God does not.
Your job can change.
There can be a change in your finances.
Relationships can change.
Your health can fluctuate.
People's plans can change.
But God's character remains faithful.
Therefore, biblical joy is based on something deeper than circumstances.
God does not change even when we change.
Joy in Salvation
Salvation is one of the biggest reasons for the Christian joy.
Jesus said to His disciples:
Rejoice, for your names are written in heaven.
Luke 10:20
The highest source of happiness is not our earthly possessions.
It's knowing that we are God's child.
All things of earth are fleeting.
Salvation is of permanent importance.
In God's presence, the song of joy is heard.
David wrote:
When you are with me, there is plenty of joy!"
Psalm 16:11
The heart's deepest joy is in God.
This is not all we receive from God – joy is something we are supposed to give back to Him.
Our joy comes from God.
The more we walk with Him, the more we taste the peace and gladness we have in Him.
Joy When Prayers Seem Unanswered
Unanswered prayer is one of the most difficult obstacles to the joy.
We pray to God for healing.
We seek re-union.
We seek monetary support.
Seeking guidance.
Sometimes the response is not forthcoming at the time we’re expecting.
The joy that is in the Bible doesn't mean pretending when prayer goes unanswered it isn't painful.
Rather, it is an invitation to trust God's wisdom even when it does not make sense to us, even when we don't know when His timing will be right.
Joy and Grief Can Exist Together
The Bible never says believers have to smile all the time.There is no scripture that says believers are to have a smile on their face at all times.
Jesus Himself wept.
Paul experienced sorrow.
David penned many, many psalms of suffering.
Joy does not take the place of emotions in the Christian life.
It provides us with a more substantial experience to hold on to when we are having them.
You can say:
I have the pain, but God is the same.
I don't know what's going on, but I have faith in Him.
This is the joy of the Bible.
Joy Is Strength
Nehemiah famously declared:
The joy of the LORD is your strength!
Nehemiah 8:10
Joy is what encourages believers because it tells them that their hope is not based on the circumstances of their lives.
In uncertain times, joy in God gives spiritual strength.
What Steals Our Joy?
Over time, our joy can decay for a variety of reasons.
Comparison
The constant judging of your life with other people can lead to unhappiness.
Bitterness
When the heart holds on to resentment, it remains stuck on the pain in the past.
Anxiety
If you always think of all the possible negative scenarios you can go down the wrong path today.
Materialism
If we think that our happiness will be complete when we obtain material things, we will end up with unending dissatisfaction.
Sin
Unconfessed sin hurts our relationship with God.
Living for Approval
When our happiness relies upon the opinions of others our emotions will change every minute.
How Can We Cultivate Christian Joy?
1. Take Time With God
Joy is found in a relationship with the One who gives it.
Pray.
Read Scripture.
Worship.
Sit quiet before the LORD.
2. Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is a way to refocus our minds from what we don't have to what God has already given us.
Each day find something you can say thank you to God for.
3. Remember God's Faithfulness
If you feel down on yourself, keep in mind what God has already done.
Remember He brought you through in the past.
History of fidelity provides strength for today's doubt.
4. Worship Even When You Don't Feel Like It
Worship is not just in response to favorable conditions.
Worship can be a leap of faith.
We praise God for who He is, even when we can't emotionally catch up with Him.
5. Remain connected to Christian Community
Being isolated can often increase one's feelings of discouragement.
There is fellowship with Christians to encourage, pray, offer wisdom and support.
6. Serve Someone Else
Joy is often experienced when we put aside our thinking of 'Self'.
Find ways to assist someone.
Encourage someone.
Pray for someone.
Give generously.
Serve quietly.
Joy in the Digital Age
Joy is tough on social media.
We constantly see:
Other people's vacations.
Other people's achievements.
Perfect-looking relationships.
Expensive lifestyles.
Career success.
Carefully edited photographs.
Comparing our lives with others makes them feel like they're not good enough.
Social media displays highlights however.
Never tells the whole story.
Not what others live is a gauge of your value.
It's not about comparing, it's about God's faithfulness.
Five Ways to Choose Joy Today
1.Be thankful for three things every day.
Begin each day with an attitude of thanking.
2. Read One Psalm
Allow God's Word to be your new way of thinking.
3. Encourage Someone
Make someone else smile.
4. Stop Comparing
Keep in mind: God has a plan that is different for each of us.
5.Your Eternal Hope is to be remembered.
What's happening now is a temporary situation.
God promised good things that will never end.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Christian joy and is it the same as being happy?
No.
Christians feel sad, grieved, angry, disappointed.
Joy is deeper than a fleeting joy.
Can I be happy if I am going through grief?
Yes.
Jesus wept, but never lost His relationship with the Father.
There is a place for both joy and grief.
Why does it sometimes seem that I don't enjoy life?
We can experience emotions that are impacted by stress, disappointment, sin, comparison, isolation and challenging situations.
When you no longer experience joy, God is not not there for you.
How can I be happy again?
Return to God.
Pray.
Read Scripture.
Practice gratitude.
Seek Christian fellowship.
Admit sin as appropriate.
Serve others.
And remember God's faithfulness.
Reflection
Christian joy is not the lack of pain.
It's the hope that's in it.
It is the awareness that God doesn't change, whatever happens to life.
It's trusting Him when we know, and when we don't know.
Worship is when the answer to prayer is not yet given.
It's a decision to be grateful when things are uncertain.
This is remembering that this isn't the end of the world!
Jesus told His disciples:
“So that your joy will be complete.”
John 16:24
Temporary happiness is in the world.
Christ has something more to offer.
A joy that is in Him.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for bringing this joy to us: knowledge of You. Remind me of Your goodness when things are tough. Restore my hope in discouragement. When I compare myself with others, teach me contentment. When I grieve, comfort me. Help me to trust You when I don't know for sure.
Fill me with the joy that comes from Your Holy Spirit, guide me to be a person of hope and encouragement for others.
May my happiness not be founded on my circumstances, but in Your Person.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
