Joy is an impactful word, and it only has three letters. It is a short word, but it has unmistakable meaning.
Delight, jubilation, triumph, exultation, glee, exhilaration, exuberance, and bliss are all words to describe feelings of great pleasure and happiness. Joy.
What things in our lives bring us joy? What aspects our lives consistently deliver happiness?
Few things deliver satisfaction on a regular basis. Our tendency is to seek happiness and fulfillment through earthly things. Perhaps a new car will make me happy. Perhaps a new job will solve my feelings of discontent. If I could just make more money. If I could just have a bigger, nicer house. If only I could only <fill in the blank with your own wish list.>
The “if only’s” are a trap. Satisfaction and joy will not last with “things.” “Things” wear out. “Things” put us in debt. “Things” may make us happy for a short period of time, but the feeling of satisfaction and happiness wears off.
Knowing that you are loved, regardless of your actions, regardless of what you deserve, can provide an amazing sense of peace and contentment. Joy. Knowing you were created out of love and adoration, can bring us gladness knowing that our Heavenly Father loves us eternally. Joy. Knowing that you are accepted, with your sins and flaws, can provide peace. Joy. The peace and endless happiness that comes from a committed relationship and faith in Jesus Christ, “surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds.” (Philippians 4:7). Joy.
The question I think that needs to be asked is “Do we understand what brings joy in our lives?”
Psalms 63, entitled the “Joy in the Fellowship of God,” was written by King David while he was in the wilderness of Judah.
David exclaims, in Psalms 63, verse 1“My soul thirsts for you; my flesh longs for you.” In verse 3, David exalts “Because your lovingkindness is better than life.” Verse 8 he proclaims, “My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.”
I have found, in my life, the more committed I am to “go all in” on my faith, the more contentment and joy I experience. Much like many things in life, committing halfway does not provide achievement. Skepticism, uncertainty, and doubt are not emotions that exhort positive outcomes. A lack of commitment is a self-fulfilling prophesy with any activity or relationship. We will be disappointed every time if we cannot commit and trust our Heavenly Father.
Joy is knowing you are saved from your sins. Joy is feeling a sense of peace that no matter how bad your life gets; God has got you. Joy is acknowledging that life will never be perfect and knowing that you can accept the good with the bad. No matter how horrible, sad, disappointing or excruciating your circumstances, God has a purpose and plan for your life. There is a reason. We will not always understand. We will not always agree. But God tells us in John 3:16-18 the following:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Joy. We have a choice. Trust and believe, and we experience jubilation and peace.
