When we are speaking of joy, we’re not talking about being happy or possessing things that make us happy. We are not actually talking about happiness at all. There is a certain state of mind and heart that is produced by the indwelling Holy Spirit of the believer. Notice in our text of today that joy is listed second after love. By it being included In the fruit of the Holy Spirit, it is not something we gain by any earthly means. With that being said, let’s look to see what it is like to have joy in your life.
Staying with our text, joy is present as the Holy Spirit is presently active in a person’s life. We also know it is possible to quench the effect of the Holy Spirit within the believer. (1 Thessalonians 5:19) Not quenching is to avoid cardinal lusts and affections or minding earthly things. Our first lesson on having joy in our life is to concentrate on things above and not things below. We cannot allow ourselves to be distracted by the world around us and all that is appealing.
Paul wrote the words both in our text and in 1 Thessalonians. It is a contrast and a challenge for him to say these things and then to relate how he suffered for Christ. He tells us that three times he was beaten with rods, was stoned, three times involved in a shipwreck and in danger from robbers. He went further to say that often he was hungry and thirsty, cold and without clothing among other experiences. (2 Corinthians 11: 24-30) He had every right to complain and not to experience any type of joy in his life.
The lessons we learned from Paul begin first with dwelling on the consciousness of the God that has saved us, blessed us, and taken us to a new view of ourselves. Too many times, it is easy to rely on circumstances and external events that cause us to have an artificial version of joy. It has no connection with things going well in our life. Joy has no connection with our basic emotions. It is not something we get.
We can ask ourselves which we would prefer. Do we want an easy life here on earth with minimal rewards in eternity. Or do we want to accept hardships that comes from temptations, from circumstances generated by other people, or the response from an evil world and be convinced that heavenly blessings awaits? Paul did not cause his own problems. He did have a proper spiritual attitude toward those problems that are temporary.
Our joy comes from a close relationship with Christ. It is generated by a deep desire to serve him regardless of the circumstances. It is when we put ourselves where we can concentrate on what is most important. Joy results from a pleasing satisfaction with the Almighty. Joy says, “I know there are issues surrounding me. I know that I am burdened and afflicted. However, I know and look forward to the joy that comes from Jesus here and in eternity.”
Joy grows from a contentment based on Jesus. Picture yourself as a child. A mean dog has entered your backyard, growling and threatening you. Your reaction is to yell at it or throw something at it hoping it will go away. You are pleased with yourself for how brave you are. You have plans to return to the play and toys that are available. The mean dog will either leave or continue threatening you.
Now take the opposite possibility. The mean dog appears and you run to your father, jumping into his arms. He frightens the dog out of the yard. You are safe. Your joy will not come from dealing with the dog yourself. It will come from being in the arms of your father while the dog is nearby. When you are in the arms of Jesus, you are safe and secure no matter how threatening the world appears. The joy comes from the relief of being safe. Whatever meanness occurs in your life, Jesus makes the difference to have joy.
