Love and Joy That Enduresনমুনা

You Can Choose Joy

Many people wonder if joy is something they can control. How can one command oneself to be joyful? The apostle Paul’s exhortation to “rejoice in hope” seems to suggest that joy is a matter of choice. While we cannot manufacture joy from thin air, we can indeed choose it. This raises the question: why would there be commands to rejoice if joy were beyond our volition?

Scripture is replete with commands to rejoice. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16, we are instructed to “rejoice always.” Philippians 4:4 emphasizes, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice.” Even Psalm 32:11 encourages us to “be glad in the Lord and rejoice.” These commands affirm that joy is not an uncontrollable emotion but a choice we can make.

A recurring theme in these verses is the emphasis on rejoicing “in the Lord.” This is significant because it underscores the importance of locating our joy in the right place. Our joy must be grounded in God, the unchanging source of true joy. If we locate our joy in circumstances, people, or possessions, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment because these are all subject to change. Joy in the Lord, however, remains steadfast.

Choosing joy requires discernment. It doesn’t legitimize whatever we find delight in. Is our joy rooted in godliness and salvation, or does it derive from sinful pursuits? Moses provides a model of choosing eternal joy over fleeting pleasures associated with sin. This highlights the need to differentiate between momentary happiness and lasting joy found in obedience to God.

Genuine joy is not a facade; it is authentic and can be chosen. It doesn’t demand we put on a mask of happiness. Joy doesn’t manifest identically in everyone; some are naturally more expressive, while others are more reserved. Both can experience the same authentic joy.

In conclusion, joy is not an elusive emotion beyond our control. It is a choice we can make, firmly anchored in the Lord. By choosing to locate our joy in God and not in transient circumstances or worldly pleasures, we experience the enduring joy that comes from living in obedience to Him. In a world where happiness often depends on external factors, let us choose the joy that is steadfast in the Lord.