By Pastor Tim Gleeson
“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17
In life, we want to pursue positive emotions. We try and not go after negative emotions and hide them as much as possible. But positive emotions, we want that! The two main positive emotions we pursue are happiness and joy. There is a difference between the two and as a christian, I want to pursue joy.
Happiness is an emotion that results from a favoured situation. I am happy when my team wins their match, especially against a team I don’t like. I am happy when my child does the right thing or comes home with a good award. I am not happy when my team loses, especially if they lose by a big margin against a team I really don’t like. I am not happy when my child does something naughty. Happiness is fleeting. It is a positive emotion that remains for a short period of time based on a favoured situation. We experience different situations all day long that can move our emotions all over the place.
Joy is both the same as happiness in that it’s a positive emotion where we experience delight, gladness, or exhilaration. But joy is different at the same time. We experience this positive emotion when we are anticipating a favoured situation rather than it being as a result of a favoured situation. As a christian I have joy knowing that Jesus will be returning one day and I get to spend eternity with Him. Jesus hasn’t returned yet, but I’m anticipating this positive situation which brings me joy.
Joy comes from God
“You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.” Psalm 4:7
The bible makes it clear that joy is given to us by God. God knows our future and he has the best in mind for what is ahead for all of us. Ultimately that is life with God for eternity. We anticipate that great positive situation because God has given it to us. We can delight and be glad knowing that God has the best future for us. That’s joy and it comes from God.
When we trust in God’s best future for our life through Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives with us and we receive joy as a gift. Paul writes this, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness” Galatians 5:22. Like any fruit, joy grows from being connected with God.
Joy during trials
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” James 1:2
The christian life isn’t about having a life without struggles and trials. Christians experience suffering, pain, trials. Because joy is a positive emotion where we are anticipating that the best future is ahead of us because of God, we can remain joyful even in those struggles and trials.
Nehemiah was sent by God to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem after the Israelites were allowed to return back to the land God had promised them. This task wasn’t easy and Nehemiah experienced many trials in rebuilding the walls. Even in those trials he says “the joy of the Lord is your strength” Nehemiah 8:10. In trials, struggles, and pain, holding on to joy which comes from God will be like strength through those circumstances.
You might be going through a trial, a struggle, or some pain today. God can meet you where you are at in those moments, and bring you joy that you will pass through those situations and go on to a better future in Jesus.
To stay joyful, stay connected to God
You can’t fake joy. We begin to lose joy when we are not focused on the hope of God in our lives. When we stay connected with God our joy will remain and grow in our lives.
Two ways to stay connected to God and grow your joy is through journalling and worship.
When we connect with God’s word and journal, this can produce joy in us as we connect with God.
“Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight.” Psalm 119:111
The psalmist talks about laws which is about God’s word. When he talks about it being a treasure, it is about reading the bible and connecting with God. We journal by reading God’s word and hearing from God through that and doing it on a daily basis. It will continue to produce delight, or joy as we remain connected to God and his best future for us.
In the Psalms, the writer also tells us that in our joy we should worship God through song.
“Shout to God with loud songs of joy” Psalm 47:1
What does he say? Shout to God with loud songs! We have much to be joyful about with God. Worship connects us to God. It can build our joy up as we sing in anticipation of what God will do in the future because of who he is as we remember and sing about it. The psalmist was all about singing and it producing joy.
Psalm 45:15 says the psalmist had joy and gladness. More than that though, in Psalm 43:4 it says the psalmist had exceeding joy. Clearly worshipping God produces joy as we connect with God and anticipate what a great future he has for us.
Joy stays. Happiness comes and goes. How’s your joy today?