By Larry Banta
I had been thinking lately about the concept of joy. I know I experience it, but how does one define it? Prior to coming to Christ, I really did not know I was missing it and since then I wonder how I could live without it.
One passage in James is particularly troubling, or interesting. James 1:2-3 says: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Some time ago in India we met secretly in a house church with a group of pastors to provide some encouragement and training. In the group were some who had scars from having been tortured and imprisoned. When we worshiped with them, the joy was overflowing. Though suffering more than most of us will ever know, there was such rejoicing in their hearts.
James says to count it not just joy but pure joy! That is not humanly possible. However, with the Holy Spirit residing in us can we have that joy? I cannot create that joy myself. I might be happy in some circumstances and very sad in others, but underlying all of this is that joy. This is a gift from God, a part of the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22 starts out: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace… Joy is right there near the top of the list right after love. Without joy life is very hard to live. I am not happy in all circumstances, but underlying our sorrow and pain and in our happy moments there can be that joy.
What is joy anyway? The Greek word in the original is χαρά (chara). It is defined as cheerfulness or calm delight.
Joy comes from rejoicing. Rejoicing comes from focusing on what produces joy. In our busyness we can easily forget to slow down and stop for a moment to really meditate on the goodness of God, to rejoice in Him. Philippians 4:4-8 shows us how to have joy. We are commanded to rejoice. What does it mean to rejoice? The word χαίρω chairō means to be glad, to have joy. Later in the passage, Paul tells us what to focus on that will sustain that joy we are commanded to have. Are we taking His blessings for granted by not expressing gratitude? Are we still in awe of His grace and mercy and power? Are we living in expectation of His coming?
Philippians 4:4-8 – Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Paul tells us that we need to refocus our thoughts. In this evil world our thoughts easily are focused on the negative, on the turmoil and problems. He starts out with focusing on truth: there is plenty of gossip, lies from the enemy, confusion in the world. We must seek truth. This will protect us from the delusions that the world tends to live under. We must be considering what is honorable and worthy of praise, such as remembering people who have done great things for God. Think about what is just, conformed to the will of God, considering what is right, correct, pure, not lowly, vain, venal, earthly, sinful. We put our minds on that which is excellent and strive for that in our own lives, to be excellent in all we do. We stand in awe of those things worthy of praise, such as God’s amazing creation, His provision, mercy and grace. Lastly those things that are lovely, defined as acceptable, pleasing. Meditating on this list has already increased my joy!
1 Peter 1:8-9 – Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
If you are missing this sense of joy in your life, what happened? The first step is to know Christ, to accept Him as your Lord and Savior, follow Him in baptism and fellowship in a Bible-believing church. You then have the Holy Spirit living in you.
If you have known that joy of salvation but now it does not seem to be there, we need to take a look at how we might be suppressing the joy. If you are experiencing persistent or intermittent sadness, along with a lack of energy, a sense of hopelessness, change in sleep and appetite, your joy might be suppressed by suffering from depression. Depression is a medical illness for which there are effective treatments that can truly help. Along with drawing close to God, you may need to seek help from a medical professional to completely restore joy in your life.
Since joy comes from the Holy Spirit living within us, what might we be doing to the Holy Spirit to suppress that joy? There are two things we can do to the Holy Spirit, according to the Word. We can quench the Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:19 says, Do not quench the Spirit. We quench Him by ignoring His urgings and direction in our lives. We take over the throne. As water quenches a fire, ignoring and turning away from God quenches the Spirit and there goes our joy!
Secondly, we can grieve the Holy Spirit. We are advised in Ephesians 4:30-32, And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
We can grieve Him, cause sorrow, by turning to sin. When we are apart from our loved ones, we miss them and we long to be with them. Sin separates us from God and He longs for our presence with Him, as we should long to be with Him and share in that joy that He gives.
So, to get our joy back or to maintain our joy here are some steps:
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. – Romans 15:13
Dr. Larry Banta is an author of several books, a retired psychiatrist, and a former missionary. He served in India, Mexico and Kenya. He and his wife, Evelyn, a counselor, travel together to provide consultation and training in various international locations.
