True Joy And Happiness

True Joy And Happiness

Have you ever noticed how many people will go to great lengths and expense in an attempt to find a little joy and happiness? Whether it be through travel, making a purchase, or achieving some feat, most quickly realize that their moment of joy and happiness is but a fleeting and soon forgotten event. And then the process starts all over again. Sadly, many Christians find themselves caught up in the same cycle – [because] they are looking for external stimuli to bring them internal joy and happiness.

Throughout God’s Word we find that true joy and happiness can only be experienced from within (that is, through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit). Take for example the great paradox from the Scriptures. James 1:2-4 states,

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

One might ask, “How can I have [joy] when my faith is being tested through many trials?” The answer to this paradox is found in 1 John 4:4,

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

The Scriptures also reveal that true joy is produced from the “fruit of the Holy Spirit”. Galatians 5:22-23 states,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Notice in these verses that “joy” is sandwiched between “love” and “peace“. For without Christ’s love, there can be no joy, and without the joy from Christ’s love, there can be no peace. Again, note that this joy can only be received through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit – through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. True peace will only be realized through the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 states,

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: “

Did you know that it is the Lord’s desire that we have remaining joy? John 15:8-11 states,

“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

But notice here that in order that we experience the depth of this joy, we are to keep God’s commandments and bear fruit unto the Lord.

We also find in the Scriptures that there is expectant joy. In Hebrews 12:2 we find the joy of our Lord Jesus Christ,

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:3 then calls us to consider the Lord’s joy,

“For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

For herein is our expectant joy revealed. John 14:2-3 states, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Have you been searching in the wrong places for joy and happiness? If so, is it because you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Or, have you gotten yourself so involved in external activities that you have not allowed yourself to be filled with the joy of the Lord. Maybe you need to pray David’s prayer, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.” [Psalms 51:12a].