Joy
Joy, the fruit of the Spirit, is a large part of our walk with Christ. Because of that, we need to look critically at our understanding of joy and the definition of joy in the Bible. Fruits of the Spirit are often misunderstood, and joy might be the most misunderstood of the bunch.
Bible verses about joy
What does the Bible say about joy? First, we need to step back and look at how we understand Godâs joy.
When we think of God, we view Him as many different thingsâa somber judge, a righteous king, a loving fatherâbut we seldom think of Him as joyful. Yet He is! We know God found joy in His Creation when He declared it good, and weâre told of unspeakable joy in Heaven whenever a sinner comes to know Him.
Even in moments where God exercises judgment, His joy always prevails since itâs intrinsically part of His nature. Psalm 30:5 [NLT] says, âFor His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.â
But more than just exhibiting joy, the mere presence of God produces joy because God Himself is our joy. Romans 15:13 [ESV] reveals the secret to receiving this joy: âMay 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.â God is the supplier of joy, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have access.
Definition of joy vs happiness
When we think of joy, it conjures up images of celebration, jubilee, and excitement. We see joy as a synonym for happinessâan emotion brought about by circumstancesâbut thereâs often a disconnect when we think about the definition of joy in the Bible.
Godâs joy comes through finding pleasure and contentment through Jesus rather than our circumstances. As Jesus reminds us in John 16:22 [ESV], âSo also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.â God is our joy, which means our joy doesnât depend on the world. Our joy canât be taken from us!
Look at the apostles who suffered great persecution, even jailed for extended periods of time, yet they found joy regardless of their circumstances. 1 Peter 1:3-6 speaks of a living hope and inheritance waiting for us in heaven through the resurrection of Christ, and reminds us, âIn this you rejoice, though ⌠you have been grieved by various trials.â
We find our joy and rest from God, even if our circumstances arenât great. Happiness is fleeting, but Godâs joy is eternal. Itâs a mindset, itâs a lifestyle, and itâs a choiceâa choice independent of emotions and life circumstances.
Joyful
In which circumstances do we need to have joy? All of them, and itâs harder than you think! However, itâs imperative to source our joy from God because life doesnât always provide it. Regardless of what we might be facing, commands us to âRejoice always.â
Bible verses about enjoying life
This might sound obvious, but itâs easy to get so wrapped up in the blessing we forget to acknowledge God. As James 1:17 says, all blessings and gifts come from aboveâfrom God. When good things come our way, when weâre encouraged, when weâre loved, and when weâre given affection, weâre meant to worship and rejoice.
We find our joy and rest from God, even if our circumstances arenât great. Happiness is fleeting, but Godâs joy is eternal. Itâs a mindset, itâs a lifestyle, and itâs a choiceâa choice independent of emotions and life circumstances.
Finding joy
As difficult as it can be, weâre called to rejoice even through painful circumstances. Throughout Scripture, there are many examples of choosing joy through affliction. Christians persecuted for their faith are commended for their joy amidst adversity across the New Testament. Paul, stuck in jail, wrote 2 Corinthians 7:4 [ESV]: âIn all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.â
Even when weâre dealing with temptation and struggling with sin, weâre still called to rejoice. James 1:2-3 tell us to âcount it all joyâ when we hit hard times because we know God is refining us through our struggles.
The best example of rejoicing in the midst of bad circumstances is Jesus, who took on the pain and suffering of the cross for us. Hebrews 12:2 [ESV] says, âLooking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, 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.â He knew there was joy even in the tremendous pain He endured.
Rejoice in the Lord always
Itâs probably the most difficult to rejoice in God when weâre in need. Whether those needs are physical, emotional, or spiritual, itâs hard to feel Godâs blessing when weâre lacking in one or more areas. Yet, weâre still called to rejoice.
Though Israel was going through a famine, Habakkuk declared, âyet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvationâ [Habakkuk 3:17-18 ESV]. Even if our basic needs arenât met or we donât know where our next meal is coming from, weâre still called to rejoice in the Lord.
Though Israel was going through a famine, Habakkuk declared, âyet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvationâ [Habakkuk 3:17-18 ESV]. Even if our basic needs arenât met or we donât know where our next meal is coming from, weâre still called to rejoice in the Lord.
Rejoicing in God during times of need produces peace. Philippians 4:4 and 9 [ESV] says, âRejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoiceâŚand the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.â If weâre in a spirit of rejoicing and giving thanks, our hearts will be at peace. God is our provider, and if we have confidence in that, we have no reason to fear.
We may not have the answers to our various circumstances, but we can rejoice and have faith in the Lord. Rest in the Lord, let His joy fill you, and be at peace. Joy isnât always easy, but itâs always worth the effort.

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