Joy

Our countenance in public speaks volumes to those around us. It’s true that laughter and smiles are contagious. Just watch some of the baby videos online. 

Paul wrote to the Philippian Christians, “Rejoice in the Lord always,” then he repeated it for emphasis, “again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

He knew the contagious effects of joy. While imprisoned in Philippi, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God, while the other prisoners listened. A great earthquake hit, and the prison cells were all opened. But, the other prisoners did not try to flee. 

The jailer and his household became believers as a result of God using two prisoners who chose to rejoice in the Lord rather than in their circumstances (Acts 16:25–34).

Jesus told his disciples, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). 

Have you ever seen a choir singing praise music with glum faces? 

Did their joyful singing make you want what they had?

Pursuing Transcendent Joy

What about joy in the most challenging of times?

When J. S. Bach returned from a yearlong concert tour to discover that his wife and child had died, he wrote in his diary, "Dear Lord, may my joy not leave me." 

Imagine even thinking of joy at such a time. 

But Bach was right: the joy of the Lord is ours whatever our circumstances hold.

What is "joy"? 

First, let's note what it's not:

• A feeling. Nowhere does the Bible describe what it feels like to have God's joy.
• A circumstance. Joy is not "happiness," which depends on "happenings." You can have joy even in hard times.
• A temporary experience. Joy transcends the moment, the feelings, and the circumstances of this day. You can have joy no matter what the past has been or the future holds.

So, what is joy? 

I define it as "a deep state of well-being that transcends circumstances." 

Romans 14:17 states that "the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." 

Paul said he was "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (2 Corinthians 6:10).

How can you have joy? 

By surrendering to the Holy Spirit. 

You can know the degree to which He is controlling your life by the degree to which you are experiencing and manifesting His joy.

Then you can "rejoice in the Lord always" (Philippians 4:4). 

And you can sing hymns at midnight in jail (Acts 16:25). 

Apply the lesson

• Compare and contrast happiness and joy. Name instances when you recently felt each emotion.
• Why is joy one quality of a civil person? Put another way: How does joy cause an uncivil person to react?
• Have you experienced joy in challenging times? What did that feel like? To what or whom did you attribute that feeling?
• Pray that God would help you pursue joy in all circumstances.