Finding Joy
As we enter into the 3rd week of Advent I am reflecting on the theme of “joy” this week. If you’re like me that word is a tough one to hear during this time of the year. As we get ready to do all of our Christmas traditions, many of us will only be doing it with a façade. There are folks reading this now that are hurting because of relationships that have gone awry, memories of loved ones that are no longer with us to celebrate the season… hardships that make it hard to find joy this time of year. Many of us feel broken, and “joy” seems like a million miles away.
You may have heard the saying that joy is different than “happiness” - in the way a frame of mind is different from an emotion. We can certainly feel joyful, but as I read more about what scripture has to say on the matter, I find that joy is more of a characteristic of a faithful life to God.
In Hebrew, the word for joy doesn’t just describe a state of well-being, but it is also an expression. It is tied to something much deeper than an emotion that comes and goes. In scripture, joy is deeply rooted - and often synonymous with - a right relationship with God. It is an outpouring of the deep commitment we have in Christ. So, when you think of it this way, joy is not something that comes first. Joy is a result of the effort we put into our walk with God. It is not necessarily something that we “feel” first and then act on. The Christian life is about being faithful first and finding joy in the aftermath.
In Scripture we find that despite the hardships the Israelites faced, or the barriers the early church had to overcome, God’s people rejoiced when they were at their best with God. As a result, joy was fruit that they reaped. Joy did not come from self-seeking pleasure or earthly riches. Joy was also found in the anticipation of Christ’s Second Coming. It is something that we look forward to because we know how it all ends. Jesus assures his disciples that their sorrow at his departure will ultimately turn to joy (John 16:16, 20).
I don’t really know if this will help anyone or not. If you’re like me, when you’re smack dab in the middle of a crisis it is hard to remember all the things Christ has done and has yet to do. I can get really consumed by the moment and can’t see the forest for the trees. But to be quite honest, there is no true and easy way to get out of seasonal depression or hardships. We must endure them at times. But might I make a suggestion for us to practice this year? I include myself because I’m going to do it with you. When the depression hits and when the joy feels so far away, I want us to worship God. In that moment, let’s stop what we’re doing and put on our favorite worship song, read our favorite Bible verse out loud, or just thank God for one thing He has done for us in the past and reflect on the promises that He has given us for the future.
Let’s act on God first and find joy in the end of that tunnel together.