Finding Joy

I've been thinking about "joy" lately. What is it? Where does it come from? How can you keep it?

The dictionary defines joy as: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires; 2. a state of happiness or felicity; 3. a source or cause of delight (Merriam Webster Online Dictionary, 4/22/09). Some synonyms are "delight," "gaiety," and "bliss."

When I checked my Chain Reference Bible I found a page of scriptures about joy. There is earthly joy and spiritual joy. There is the promise of joy and the restoration of joy.

Advertisers tell us that the right car or shoe or toothpaste will bring us joy. The Bible tells us that it is God's presence that brings fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). Jesus told his disciples that he spoke these things to them "that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full" (John 15:11). This joy is more than an emotion. It is a deep sense of satisfaction and contentment that leads to gladness of heart. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).

Joy doesn't depend on circumstances. Paul and Silas rejoiced in the middle of the night ina Philippian prison (Acts 16:25). Peter expected believers to rejoice in the middle of persecution and suffering (1 Peter 4:13). Jesus endured the cross "for the joy that was set before him" (Hebrews 12:2).

No matter our circumstances, no matter our possessions, no matter our difficulties, we can have joy by looking to Jesus, our source of joy. God's presence brings joy, God's word brings joy, God's Spirit brings joy. As the song says, "This joy that I have: the world didn't give it to me. The world didn't give it and the world can't take it away!"