The quest for happiness is a common topic in articles, social media, books, podcasts, television shows, and movies. The idea put forth is that you are to follow your dreams and pursue your personal fulfillment to discover happiness. But as Christians, we have discovered the true source of a lasting joy that can withstand the storms of life and is a constant in the face of destabilizing circumstances in our world.
While Jesus only specifically mentioned His joy twice in the Gospels (John 15:11, 17:13), joy permeated His life and the teachings in the Bible. We find 173 mentions and examples of joy, gladness, and rejoicing in the New Testament—and hundreds more in the Old Testament. In the book of Nehemiah, we read that “the joy of the Lord is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10), and in the Psalms, we read of the joy of His salvation and the “fullness of joy” that we find in His presence (Psalm 51:12; 16:11).
The Bible teaches us that God’s kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). When the Apostle Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit, joy is listed right after love (Galatians 5:22–23). We can see that joy is an important part of our Christian life, but what exactly is this joy that is spoken of here?
In the English language, joy and happiness are usually considered synonyms. However, the Greek words used in the New Testament for joy and happiness are not as close in meaning, and Greek words that express the concept of happiness weren’t used very often in the New Testament. The Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments defines joy as “a settled state of mind marked by peace” and “a confident way of looking at life that is rooted deep in faith, in a keen awareness of and trust in the sovereign God, who has revealed himself in Jesus Christ.”
So, what is the foundation of that joy? It is rooted in our salvation, gained for us by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and the sure knowledge that our names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20). We have joy—we rejoice—because we have the hope of an eternal inheritance, and God has given us the guarantee of it by His Spirit placed in our hearts (2 Corinthians 1:22).
We can have joy because we take the long-range view, knowing that regardless of the hardships or setbacks we experience in this life, we will live with God forever. Jesus sets the example for us of looking beyond the present trials of this life to what lies ahead in eternity, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
We have joy because of the presence of God in our lives through Jesus, who took on human form and made His home among us (John 1:14). When we read the accounts of the birth of Jesus, the whole event is filled with joy. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, her unborn child, John the Baptist, literally leaped for joy in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:44). The angel who appeared to the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth proclaimed, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). When the wise men saw the star, “they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Matthew 2:10). God’s presence brings joy to those who believe in Him.
God’s presence becomes part of our lives as we are filled with the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit is also connected to joy. “The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:52); His joy is also connected to hope: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13). Worshiping and praising the Lord brings forth joy within us. “They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (Luke 24:52).
What is the source of our joy? Our joy is grounded in our faith in the teachings of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. God is our Creator. He created humankind in His own image (Genesis 1:26–27). Although humanity is fallen and alienated from Him due to our sins, we can be redeemed and reconciled to God through the death of Jesus on the cross, which brought forgiveness of our sins when we believe and receive Jesus in our hearts. We are thereby “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” and to an imperishable and unfailing inheritance that is being kept in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:3–5). Heaven is described as a place of everlasting joy, love, and peace where there will be no more pain, sorrow, grief, or loneliness (Revelation 21:4).
The joy of the Lord is not dependent on our circumstances; it can flourish even in the midst of pain, suffering, loss, and grief. The Bible says that “We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings” (Romans 5:2–3). It’s not easy to rejoice in our sorrow, nor is it natural for us to be joyful and constantly rejoicing. Yet we are called to “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4).
When the waves, winds, and storms of life assail us, we can find joy in knowing that God will never leave us and He has a plan and purpose for our lives, even when we can’t discern it ourselves. We can find comfort and faith to endure the difficulties we face and to be victorious as we look to the promises in God’s Word. As we read the Bible, God’s Spirit uses His Word to speak to our hearts to comfort and guide us, thereby giving us faith and hope, which are stepping stones to joy.
We cultivate joy by putting our trust in God and abiding in Him and His Word, so that His joy will remain in us and our joy will be full (John 15:10–11). We increase our joy when we grow in thankfulness and gratitude in whatever situation we find ourselves in, as we “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Regardless of whether our present circumstances are pleasant or unpleasant, we are called to be thankful. This doesn’t mean that we are to be thankful for difficult circumstances, but rather that we give thanks in the midst of every circumstance, good or bad. We can be thankful for the sure knowledge that the Lord is working in our present circumstance for our good, knowing that He will not give us burdens that are too much for us to bear, and that His grace is sufficient to enable us to bear them (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Joy is a response to God’s constant presence in our lives—to His love, blessings, and promises; to the relationship we have with Him, and the privilege of being His children (John 1:12–13). Recognizing and being thankful for God’s blessings helps us to walk in His joy in our everyday lives and to take on a positive attitude toward life. As we thank and praise Him, we experience the joy that is our heritage in Christ and our strength!