Is it just me or does there seem to be a striking absence of joy in our lives? Yes, we get up each morning and do our daily routine but where’s the joy in it? We experience occasional fleeting bursts of happiness but is happiness the same as joy?

What is joy anyway? As a young Christian I learned that joy was spelled J-O-Y: “Jesus” “Others” and “You.” I think the idea behind the acrostic was that joy was obtained by ordering your life by putting Jesus first in your thinking and doing, others ahead of yourself, and yourself last in line. True? I’m not too sure about that. If I continually put the needs of others ahead of my own needs I’ll burn out and won’t be good for anybody. I surely won’t be experiencing joy. What I do know is that joy is a fruit produced in Christians by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). More on that in a moment.

The flesh can produce happiness. Happiness imitates joy. It looks like joy but it isn’t. Happiness depends on circumstances and people. It makes me happy to ride the Green Monster at Valleyfair Amusement Park (no, no it doesn’t any more, but it used to). The problem is that I’m only happy for a brief time following my ride and then the thrill is gone and I’m in search of the next exhilarating experience. Happiness is delightful in the moment but that moment passes so quickly. Happiness is always saying, “What have you done for me lately?” 

Joy is different. Unlike happiness, joy cannot be produced in the flesh. The joy of the Lord does not depend on circumstances or people. The joy of the Lord is a continual delight in Jesus Christ. The truth is God never promised to make our lives happy! He has promised us His joy as we are obedient to the prompting of His indwelling Holy Spirit. He says He gives joy when we confess and repent of our sins (Psalm 51:12). Why? His joy is released when we’re living free, free from bondage, free from sin. The joy of the Lord is given to those who obey Him (Matthew 25:21). Finally, we can give joy when we’re united with other Christians in mind, love, spirit, and purpose (Philippians 2:2). He does not give His joy when we're practicing sin, rebellion, or division.

One of the observations I’ve made as a counselor is that when people are depressed or trapped in an addiction they’ve lost their joy. Their focus has shifted from Jesus Christ to themselves, their circumstances, or their addictions. His Spirit produces joy in our souls as we keep our focus on Jesus Christ and not the circumstances around us. He is our joy and the object of our affections.

We can experience the joy of the Lord even when our hearts are breaking because Jesus is still Lord of our lives. The Bible says we are to fix “our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2, emph. mine). Jesus saw the joy of obedience to the Father’s will. He saw the joy of returning to His Father.

I need more joy in my life. How about you? Let's keep our eyes on Jesus,

Irv