Do you experience a lack of joy at times?
If you’re anything like me, I’m sure you do.
I think we ALL have times of frustration and unhappiness.
Especially in our world today…
With so many unknowns.
Social Isolation.
Covid-19.
Struggles that are present in your everyday life even without a worldwide pandemic!
So today we are going to talk about JOY — the second ‘fruit of the spirit’ found in Galatians 5:22–23.
We are going to dive into what Joy actually is AND how we can feel it even in the toughest circumstances.
Many people have asked the question: Is JOY different from HAPPINESS?
The answer is: Yes and No.
Happiness vs Joy
It is said that happiness is temporary.
And that joy lasts.
Happiness is caused by external circumstances or experiences.
Joy springs from within and is an internal experience.
Happiness is not present when we are in the midst of a storm; it just vanishes.
Joy brings with it a feeling of contentment and confidence which can take us through a storm in our life-journey.
Happiness is a blurred emotion. It can mean different things to many people.
Joy is a conscious commitment to be happy, to have a sense of gratitude and contentment despite life’s challenges.
Happiness if often just a feeling.
Joy is a choice.
Happiness does not bring eternal peace.
Joy is a sense of deep inner peace, given by the Holy Spirit. Joy comes from choosing God.
In difficult circumstances, especially with what’s going on in our world right now, it can be hard to be happy…
BUT we CAN be JOYFUL!
We can live a more joyful life by fixing our eyes on Jesus and His greater plan for us.
The word “joy” (or a variation of it) is mentioned in scripture many times.
Therefore Joy is obviously important to God.
He wants us to live in joy with Him. Romans 15:13 reads,“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Trusting in Him and living with hope leads to joy.
God also asks us to live with joy even when circumstances are tough so that He can fill us with His Holy Spirit. “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame.” (Romans 5:3–4)
The Holy Spirit can encourage us to hold onto hope that on the other end of our suffering we can rediscover joy.
There are times when suffering blocks out joy, even blocks out God.
Continue to draw close to Him as much as possible and remember that joy can come from trusting that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)
Choosing Joy is not always easy due to emotions that take over us at times.
Set your mind on Christ and your thoughts will help alleviate the painful emotions.
Remember, God provides for us the joy which He calls us to live in.
You can tap into His spirit and feel the joy that can only come from Him. We always have a choice when it comes to our thoughts…
Victor Frankl, a concentration camp survivor, said:
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances”
So when you’re in the thick of it and joy isn’t coming naturally, what do you do?
4 Powerful Ways to Increase your Joy
Be kind to yourself
God didn’t ask us to be perfect and joy can be difficult when tragedy strikes.
I have been through tragedies where joy was the last thing on my list of feelings, but I continued to look to God with hope that He would give me joy in the little things.
A family I know lost their 4 year old this past week. It was sudden and unexpected. Do they feel joy? Surprisingly, they feel it in waves but they know God is there in the midst of this awful circumstance.
God wants to bring us joy, but we must go through the grieving process at times and be kind to ourselves when we find it hard. The joy will come.
Even in the midst of all the worry and chaps in the world right now, anyone can choose to look for and experience God’s joy.
Say No to Sinful Desires
God didn’t promise us an easy life and it can be extremely difficult to get your joy from Christ when you’re used to getting it from addiction or person.
For example, shopping, over-eating, over-exercising and alcohol can all be addictions that become so consuming that they take our focus off God.
Be strong and learn to say “no” to anything that will lead you into sin. Right now you have an opportunity to hone in on what you are craving and change your reaction to it.
When you sin, guilt and shame can set in and these things will rob you of your joy.
To live a joyful life, it is imperative that we align ourselves with what God wants for us.
Is it always easy? No.
Is it worth it? Yes!
Practice Gratitude
One of the easiest ways to feel joy is to recognize all of the blessings in your life.
Keep a gratitude journal and jot down five things you are thankful for each day, or practice gratitude in your daily activities.
For example, each time you wash your hands, think of something or someone in your life you appreciate. This is especially easy right now because you are probably washing your hands more than ever! What a great opportunity to focus on joy!
It might sound silly, but when you look at your blessings, you immediately feel more joyful.
Do this everyday and you will see a significant jump in feelings of joy in your life.
Focus on Others
Sometimes we can get so consumed with our own problems we forget that everyone is fighting a battle.
One way to increase your own joy is to make someone’s day.
Many people in the world are in lockdown or a state of emergency so maybe you can't give a loved one a physical hug, but you can send messages and keep in touch.
Show them love and reach out for no reason other than to tell them you’re thinking of them.
Invite the new person at work or church for coffee (via zoom or skype).
Compliment the grocery store cashier on her necklace (she’s probably having a rough time right now with all the chaos).
Smile and say hello to people (there is so much fear in the world right now you can brighten someone’s day).
You could even set aside some money every month to bless someone who is struggling with a gift or card to encourage them.
Slow down and recognize the opportunities you have to improve someone else’s day. You can even volunteer your time, helping people less fortunate than you.
Giving to others is proven to increase the joy of the giver. So go out and take the focus off of you.
Some Reflection & Journalling Questions
(Also found in the beautiful FREE guidebook you can dowload HERE)
- What is one difficult circumstance in your life in which you’re having trouble being joyful (maybe it’s everything going on in the midst of the coronavirus)?
- How can you choose to be joyful in this situation, knowing that God is in control?
- Brainstorm a way that you can keep track of the things you’re grateful for?
- What is one way you could bless another person who is struggling right now? When do you commit to do this by?
Download the FREE guidebook and spend some time journalling ideas that will support you in feeling joy in difficult circumstances.
Remember…
God is in control. He’s got the whole world (and all of us) in the palm of his hand.
He knows the number of hairs on your head and He loves you deeply!
He wants you to trust and not be afraid: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Remember even in the midst of the trials that are going on in the world right now, you can choose joy, trust and faith!