“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11 NIV
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence…” Psalms 16:11 NIV
Joy is the theme of Advent Week Three. Joy has also been my word for the year 2024. You will hear more about it in a future post, but around October or November, I begin to pray about a theme word for the coming year. I was and am certain that Joy is the word that was meant to be my 2024 theme. But to be honest, I am still trying to discern why. Would you mind processing with me?
Here are a few of my notes from last year as I looked forward to 2024:
JOY - Joy is about HOPE fulfilled. Joy is in the hoping, but complete joy comes as the hope is fulfilled. Joy is a choice based on hope. JOY releases control and obeys with hope. JOY comes from hopeful obedience. JOY is the natural result of hope.
From Christianity.com: “Biblical joy is choosing to respond to external circumstances with inner contentment and satisfaction, because we know that God will use these experiences to accomplish His work in and through our lives.” Joy is a choice, but God gives us the ability to choose it.
From a YouVersion Daily Refresh: “To rejoice is a declaration of trust.”
My conclusion note: Joy is an emotion of happiness that begins with a choice to trust in God’s promises. It is the natural result of hope. Trust is the key to joy
So, what is my takeaway from a year of contemplating joy?
Joy begins with a choice. In our emotion-driven culture, people tend to let their feelings guide them rather than make choices that guide their feelings. The emotion of joy starts with a choice to remain in God’s presence, to make Him the center of life.
There have been many unanticipated changes in my life over the years. Changes that I didn’t want and that caught me off-guard. I have had to learn to take an “even if” perspective and that has led to joy. What is an “even if” perspective?
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But EVEN IF he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18 NLT
The faith and commitment of these Hebrew young men was based on God’s glory and character, not on what He did or did not do for them. That is the kind of faith that leads to joy. That is the kind of faith I want.
Joy is grounded in trust. An “even if” perspective is an expression of trust that regardless of the outcomes I see, God is good and has a good plan. I can trust Him to work things out for my good and His glory. That leads to joy!
Joy is an expression of hope. An “even if” perspective is also an expression of hope in God’s good future. How can I have joy if I don’t have hope in God’s loving character and awesome power? I must believe that He is a loving Father who wants the best for me and the world if I am going to have any hope at all. And if I have hope then I have joy.
Dear Friend, ultimately, joy is about trust. I can’t have joy in difficult circumstances if I don’t trust that God is truly in control and will bring about good in the end. And isn’t that what Christmas is all about? As you and I choose to place our trust in our good Father and keep our hope centered in Him and the work of Christ, we will have joy. It is a natural outflow of the Holy Spirit who enables our trust as we choose it.
I don’t know what you are going through. But I do know God is good, He does good and will bring about good, even from my darkest seasons. That is why I can have joy. You can, too.
Key Question: How can I have joy?
A Scripture to Consider: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11 NIV
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence…” Psalms 16:11 NIV
A YES Challenge: What is stealing your joy right now? Take a moment to remember God’s promises and apply them to your situation. Breathe in God’s presence and let it fill you with His joy.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for giving us a reason to always be filled with joy. Your great love means You are always present with us. Your constant presence fills us with great joy.Thank You that no matter what is happening in my life I can have joy with You because I trust You to accomplish Your good purposes. Amen.
