Joy in Every Season

When you think of ‘joy’, what comes to mind? 

Happiness is often one of the first words. Joy is defined as an emotion evoked by wellbeing, success, or good fortune, and in other cases, it is an expression of gladness or delight.

This emotion is a byproduct of the Holy Spirit, which naturally produces fruits in our lives as we dwell in the Spirit.

In the world we live in today, which has been corrupted by our own selfishness, death, and loss, biblical faith offers a unique perspective on joy. It’s an attitude that we as God's people adopt, not because of happy circumstances, but because of our hope through God's love and promise.

Our natural human inclination is to think that living through trials and negative circumstances would not be an occasion for joy. Choosing to respond to life’s difficult situations with inner contentment and satisfaction does not seem to make sense. Why would it?

However, Paul in Philippians chose joy in the Lord which was a sign that Jesus' presence was with him, aspiring hope in the midst of his hardship. When we believe that Jesus' love overcame death itself, joy becomes reasonable in the darkest of circumstances. This does not mean you ignore or suppress your sorrow. Paul often expressed his grief about missing loved ones, losing friends, or his own freedom. He called this “being full of sorrow and yet rejoicing”. Therefore, at this moment he acknowledged his pain but made a choice to trust Jesus that his loss would not be the final word.

Joy does not mean forcing happiness during sad circumstances. However, joy comes during every season.

Christian joy is a profound decision of faith and hope in the power of Jesus' own life and love. It is choosing to respond to these external circumstances with inner contentment and satisfaction in Christ because we know that God will use these experiences to accomplish His work in and through our lives.

This joy is available to us. It is available to you today. So, as it says in Romans 15:13, we must allow God to fill us with all joy and peace so we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. It all stems from the Spirit. If only we allow the spirit to reside in us, he will fill us with ALL joy.