One of my students was treading in the murky waters somewhere between discouragement and depression. It was so hard for him to concentrate during the one-on-one class that learning even the most basic concepts was a struggle. Sometimes he would even get upset at the textbook, as if it were conspiring against him! It was difficult to have a meaningful conversation with him, and consequently, the classes he participated in were pretty dry.
Eventually he began to pull out of the fog and was able to think more clearly. It became easier for him to absorb the material being taught, and he was encouraged by his progress. He was a deep thinker and began to contribute meaningfully to the classes. Before long we were laughing and conversing about many topics. The sessions became a delight, a time we mutually looked forward to. I saw clearly that happiness and heaviness are worlds apart.
Joy. What a delightful theme for this month’s magazine! The feature article, “The Joy of the Lord,” provides insight on the deep meaning of joy that is found in the Bible. Our contributors share insights and personal experiences that bring the concepts to life.
One of the paradoxes of life is that joy can often be found even in the most trying circumstances. That is when “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). More than wishful thinking or a self-help strategy, joy that becomes strength in difficult times is a manifestation of God’s grace in our lives. The contrast brings out the beauty of His presence, and we experience “the peace of God which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
Whether you are living in “the best of times” or “the worst of times” as Charles Dickens described in A Tale of Two Cities, joy can be your constant companion. The Bible tells us: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). These verses teach us that in all situations it is God’s will that we pray, rejoice, and are thankful, which will enable us to always abound in the joy of the Lord!