JOY

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.

Do you have joy? Deep down in your heart? 

If you answered no please be assured you can get your joy back because it’s there. It just got buried in trials, heartache, and stress. If you’ve got Jesus then you’ve got joy.

What is joy?

Joy is an abstract noun so it can be difficult to describe because it’s not something we can physically touch or see. It is a feeling or an emotion by definition. But what emotion is it? How can we define it?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, joy is “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires”. This description of joy is based on circumstances. Good things take place resulting in our happiness. But this joy is circumstantial and temporary. 

What is joy to the Christian?

Joy is not just a mood or a feeling to the Christ Follower, and is not dependent upon our circumstances. Joy is deeply rooted in every Believer. We cannot conjure it up or fake it. Joy is knowing who we are in Christ. Joy is delighting in God. Joy is constant, unshakeable confidence in God the Father. Joy is a gift from God to every Believer in Jesus Christ.

Joy in the New Testament 

Chara is a Greek word for joy that’s used often in the New Testament. Chara describes “a feeling of inner gladness, delight or rejoicing”. 

The birth of Jesus Christ is announced with joy.

But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Luke 2:10, HCSB 

Jesus gives us His joy.

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11, NKJV 

One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is joy.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Galatians 5:22, NASB 

Prayer brings joy.

Until now you have asked for nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. John 16:24, HCSB 

Trials bring joy. 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, James 1:2, NIV 

Loving Jesus brings joy.

and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 1 Peter 1:8, NASB 

Joy in the Old Testament

There are many Hebrew words for joy. Simchah is used frequently in the Old Testament and means “joy, mirth, pleasure, or exceeding gladness”. 

Strength comes from the joy of the Lord.

“For the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10b, NKJV

There is joy in God’s presence.

You will make known to me the way of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11, NASB 

God can restore our joy.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12, NIV 

Joy results in praise. 

Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Psalm 66:1, NIV 

Wise words bring joy.

To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! Proverbs 15:23, ESV 

God gives joy to the righteous.

For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; Ecclesiastes 2:26a, NKJV

Can we choose joy?

I say yes. Because the choice is not for a phony temporary happiness. You can’t just plaster on a fake smile, and voila you’ve got joy. Real joy is authentic, and is deep inside of every Christian. Joy is from God and part of who He is. We’ve got the Holy Spirit living inside of us as Believers, so we’ve got access to joy all the time. 

It’s easy to lose our joy because we are being bombarded with a million things that take our joy away. When we take our eyes off of Jesus our joy diminishes. It’s still there but we covered it up unknowingly. The good news is our beautiful Savior, Jesus, is unrelenting in loving us and reminding us of who we are in Him. That’s real joy.

Some things you can do to get your joy back.

Ask the Father to reignite your joy in Him.

Spend some time just worshipping God.

Write down Bible verses on joy and place them around your home.

Take social media breaks.

Turn off the news.

Take a day to fast and pray.

Some things to remember to help get your joy back.

Jesus is your Savior, and intercedes for you day and night.

The Holy Spirit indwells every Believer.

Heaven is the perfect eternal home waiting for those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ.

Today is a new day with new mercies.

Jesus paid our sin debt in full.

Jesus will help you in all of your troubles.

Joy is a heart full of Jesus.

I just barely scratched the surface on the large subject of joy. God gave us the amazing gift of joy, His joy. What an awesome loving God we serve.

Love you all,

Meghan

If you need prayer email me at meghanewhiteauthor@gmail.com