Joy

If you've ever seen a loved one, particularly someone who walks closely with the Lord, in their last days of life...

I marvel at how peaceful, loving, and accepting that person often is—how, if we could use the word—how joyful they are—often in immense pain, often among tearful family and friends. It may at first, seem impossible that the trials of our lives are also joyful—but it strikes me that perhaps this is because we associate the words joy and happy together. That is something that James highlights for us. The Holy Spirit could have instructed James to say, "be happy when faced with trials"—but the word "joy" is given to us here.

Perhaps the significance of joy is that it does not tie directly to current circumstances, but something far deeper. While the world puts major emphasis on personal happiness, the issue I have with that viewpoint is, that it is seemingly circumstantial. When circumstances change, happiness can disappear and then we are left feeling empty. However, going back to our dying loved ones' example, even when faced with arguably the worst circumstances possible, we can face each moment with joy that is seemingly unexplainable. A final thought on joy worth considering, is that it makes a way for to us look past the present and to our future salvation as Believers.

Questions to Consider

1. How are your current circumstances affecting you?
2. What would choosing joy over happiness look like in your life?