How can I experience true joy?

Anyone, even the most committed Christians, can experience times of sadness and feeling down. The Bible gives lots of examples of these feelings.

Job wished he had never been born (Job 3:11). David asked God to take him somewhere else so he wouldn't have to deal with reality (Psalm 55:6-8). Elijah, even though God had just sent down fire from heaven to help him defeat 450 false prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:16-46), ran away into the desert and asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19:3-5).

Talk about a rough time. So how do we move on and find joy when hardship comes?

Finding Joy in the Darkness

Even through depression and difficult circumstances, these godly men made efforts to trust God to overcome their sorrow. David wrote that studying the Bible can bring us joy (Psalm 19:8). He also learned that he needed to praise God even in the midst of despair (Psalm 42:5). God will bring joy and righteousness into our lives again (Job 33:26).

Even when bad things happen, God's character doesn't change. He loves, has mercy, and forgives. He won't backstab, lie, or hurt. And that makes Him an incredible source of encouragement in times of trouble. He will always be there for you.

God's Guarantees

Love & Help

While we aren't guaranteed an easy life, we are guaranteed God's love and help (Luke 12:22-24). Sometimes that help comes through the actions of others (1 John 4:9-10; Psalm 72:12). It's so important to have a supportive community around us too (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). We aren't meant to live life alone.

Loved ones can listen to us, pray for us, and offer assistance or guidance if they've been through something similar. For Elijah, God allowed him to rest and then sent Elisha to help him out (1 Kings 19:19-21). God has also gifted professionals who can offer therapy, medication, and practical advice.

Forgiveness

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." —1 John 1:9

Dwelling on past experiences, our hurts, our problems, or ourselves will never bring us true joy. If there's something between you and God, ask Him for forgiveness, then forgive yourself as well. There's no need to dwell on the issue or punish yourself for making mistakes (Psalm 103:12).

Joy in Jesus

Nothing this world can offer will bring you joy like God can. Knowing God will help you understand yourself and glorify Him (Philippians 3:3). Deepen your relationship by reading His Word, talking to Him, and relying on His guidance through the Holy Spirit. We can bury ourselves in our possessions, work, or human relationships, but only our relationship with Jesus will bring us real joy (John 10:10).

In John 15:1-11, Jesus talks about how, when we walk with Him and grow our faith, we stay connected to Him and our Heavenly Father. He ends by saying, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete" (v. 11).

Joy: Fruit of the Spirit

"And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit..." —1 Thessalonians 1:6

Joy is the second fruit of the Spirit that's listed in Galatians 5:22-23. The Greek word for joy is chara. This word is closely related to charis, which means "grace" or "a gift." Chara is a natural response to charis—meaning that we have joy because of God's grace. The fruit of Joy is our response to the wondrous work of God and His promises. Joy is an expression of God's kingdom on earth—like a reflection of Heaven.

God is the only true source of all joy (Psalm 51:11-12; Galatians 5:22). God's way is the best way—even if we don't always understand it (Proverbs 3:5-6). If you're doing your best to live a life that follows Jesus' teachings, even when bad things happen, you can find contentment where you are.

"Happiness" isn't guaranteed—not in the sense that we understand it. To say that life is all sugar and red roses would be an awful lie. But the more we look for other paths to happiness, the more miserable we'll become. Happiness is temporary. Joy lasts. And our Heavenly Father is only One who can lead us to true joy.

For Bible references in this video, check the description on YouTube.

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