Defiant JoyÀpẹrẹ

This Side of Heaven

We have a perfect example in Jesus of joy and sorrow intermingling, so why do we often hear misapplied verses, like, “Count it all joy!” or “The joy of the Lord is your strength!” How can we “count it all joy” when we’re burying a loved one, battling cancer, or desperately searching for employment? And if I don’t feel joy, am I sinning?

I recently heard the testimony of a dear sister in Christ who believed that her refrigerator had remained in good working order because she had faithfully tithed for thirty years. She viewed this as a sign that God was pleased with her obedience. But what happens when her fridge finally breaks? Will she think God is displeased with her? Will she find her joy diminished?

It’s tempting to believe we have control over our lives; that if we’re good enough, smart enough, and do all the right things, we’ll be blessed, life will be easy, and we’ll be happy. It’s a lot scarier to consider that sorrow might be a normal part of Christian life, or that life will be hard no matter how well we follow Jesus. If that’s true, our joy must be rooted in something other than our circumstances.

When I hear someone imply that suffering and sorrow are signs of weak faith or sin, I point to the story of Jesus weeping at the grave of his close friend Lazarus. If the holy Son of God can cry, then clearly crying is not a sin.

Jesus didn’t die to make us happy. At least, not in this mortal fallen realm. Jesus died to redeem us from sin and secure our eternal home in Heaven with him. In that place, we will be freed from sin and suffering and know perfect joy forevermore.

Meanwhile, this side of heaven, Jesus himself tells us to expect suffering: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

God’s joy remains real, even when we cannot feel it. It’s like the sun on a rainy day—hidden behind the storm clouds of our hardship, yet fiercely shining, faithful and bright.

Lord, please bless me with peace and health in this world. But when hardships come, remind me that your joy is real, whether I can feel it or see it. Help me to have faith in the day that my joy will be complete. Amen.