Fruit of the Spirit Study Series: Joy

“I just need some JOY!” This phrase is often heard in moments of sadness. How many times in desperation has joy been desired as a solution to that feeling? Let’s look at what scripture says and how there are actually varying degrees of joy.

Joy is often something thought of as either having or not having, something that is present or not present, found or lost. If you look at how joy is experienced and referenced in scripture, there are actually varying degrees from having a little bit of joy to being filled up and running over! Also, joy can be experienced in different amounts throughout the day. This study looks at joy from two perspectives. Joy can be a choice. Joy can be given by God.

In our Fruit of the Spirit Series study focusing on love we learned that without love, the rest of the attributes listed as fruits of the spirit would be impossible.  Love is the foundation that is required to grow joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.

STOP, sit in that just a moment, and think about it.  Can you truly feel joy if there isn’t love behind it?  

As much as it would be nice to not make mistakes in life or have difficult times, it is those weak moments that can result in truly trusting and relying upon God. In that total submission, when there is no gas left in the tank, joy can be found.  You read that right! It is in the lowest times that pure joy can be abundant! How?

Joy can be a choice.

Feelings are a result of having a perception of a situation. If you focus on the negative aspects of an event or situation, typically feelings of sadness, despair, anger, or frustration would result. In all situations there is an opportunity to reframe, restate, and dig deep for the positive. There is something to be said for seeing things with a glass half full and positive thinking. James 1:2 tells us to “Count it all joy” which tells us it is a choice!

Just as we choose our actions and behaviors, we choose our feelings. Choices to feel things are made moment to moment, sometimes consciously and sometimes unconsciously out of routines and habits. Just as we build other routines such as consistent exercise, we have to strengthen our emotional wellbeing.  You can set yourself up for a good day by incorporating a choice to have a routine of positive thinking, prayer, and study. The more there is consistency in prayer time and putting biblical content into our brains, the more we will see even the smallest blessings and feel JOY in our heart.

Life is always going to have struggles.  There are times it may seem unfair.  There will be things that aren’t understood in this world such as suffering and hate.  There may be times that it is difficult to even raise your head up from a pillow because things are so incredibly tough.  Even when things may seem at their worst, joy can come if we choose to press on and change our perception.

James 1: 3,4 also teaches that having trials in our life produces perseverance, and we have to let that cook awhile so we can be mature and complete!   Some people who have the most joy have been through the toughest ”stuff”.

We read in scripture that David, through it all, continued to press into God.  Through it all he experienced a range of deep sorrow to amazing joy. Some of the most beautiful writings and songs came from David, even though his soul and body were in such despair. 

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. 
1st Peter 1:8-9.  

To have the type of joy that is “inexpressible and glorious” you have to truly love God, others, and yourself.  It is something that isn’t fleeting. It becomes ingrained in your entire perception of the world and life.

Joy can be given by God.

Joy is like pickles. Cucumbers, when they sit in brine for some time, become pickles. They are still the same vegetable, but what they are, how they are perceived, how well they are preserved, is completely changed. Being filled with the Holy Spirit, and filled and overflowing with joy is much like becoming pickled. You are still who you are, but after God fills you up you become something more useful, more flavorful, valued, and you have a longer shelf life!

There are many verses in the Bible that reference being filled and overflowing with joy. While there is the feeling of joy that exists when brought about by positive perception, there is an abundant joy that takes it to another level. You are completely saturated and filled with the Holy Spirit and joy given by God. It is a joy that doesn’t come and go. It is consistent and foundational in how the entire day plays out and what attitudes are had.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope of the power of the Holy Spirit. 
Romans 15:13
 
Laughter and joy go hand in hand. Proverbs 1:26 says, “she is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Laughter can regulate kids (or adults let’s be real) in the middle of a tantrum. In the middle of a strong emotion, sadness or anger, when someone does or says something to make us laugh, it becomes healing.

Studies consistently show that laughter can boost immune systems, lower anxiety, and improve mood. According to PsychologyToday.com, “Bouts of Laughter can boost the immune system, relax muscles, aid circulation, and protect against heart disease.  They abet mental health, too: laughter can lower anxiety, release tension, improve mood and foster resilience.  Of Course, laughter also enriches social experience, by strengthening relationships, helping to diffuse conflict, and allowing people to successfully operate as a team.  The benefits of laughter for both bodies and minds, show that contagious convulsions are anything but frivolous.”

Why not laugh a little? Or a lot? Why not have Joy?  Why not use the thing that God gave humans to bond and have a laugh until you cry kind of moment?  

Each day is a new opportunity. Joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5) We wake up every morning to a new day, a fresh start, and can choose joy.  Each day is a new opportunity to create new routines to become fully saturated, filled up, or pickled in joy!

Heather Lynch and Kim Carroll