Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Philippian 4:4

Be joyful! This is not merely a suggestion lightly given to the children of God, but a command.

And why shouldn’t we be! We are the adopted children of the Creator of the Universe, co-heirs with the Redeemer of our soul, and the living temple of the Holy Spirit!

We have joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory!

Table Of Contents

What Is the Real Meaning of Joy
The Difference Between Joy and Happiness
Why Joy is so Important
Joy as a source of hope and happiness
How to Maintain Your Joy in Difficult Times
10 Bible Verses about Joy
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What Is the Real Meaning of Joy

The real meaning of joy is knowing that God is in control despite the circumstances we face in life and has a plan for us. This knowledge brings a sense of calm and assurance that no matter what happens, we will be okay.

Joy comes from knowing that God loves us and has a good plan for our lives. Joy is produced by walking in the Spirit, trusting in God’s provision, and knowing that no matter our circumstances, God is in control.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

The Difference Between Joy and Happiness

When most people think of “joy,” they think of happiness. While joy and happiness are related, they are not the same thing. Happiness comes from our circumstances- what we have or don’t have, how others treat us, etc.

On the other hand, Joy is a deep abiding feeling that comes from knowing God is in control of all our circumstances. He knows what’s best for us to have joy even during trials and tribulations.

Happiness is a feeling of joy. It’s an emotion that comes from within and is derived from various things, such as loved ones, our accomplishments, or simply enjoying the moment.

Health, wealth, love, and happiness are considered the four pillars of a good life; it’s the goal we all want to achieve. However, none of us are truly in control of these four pillars.

They are all temporal and fleeting.

But joy brings contentment and delight in all our situations. Whether we have health, wealth, love, and happiness or whether they all vanish from our grasp, joy teaches us to be content in all of our circumstances, as Paul describes in Philippians.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

Why Joy is so Important

Joy is the fruit of the Spirit, along with love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

When we portray these qualities, it is a sign that the Spirit controls us.

We are displaying our faith in and our dependence on God the Father.

Joy is for Us

As Christians, we can experience joy no matter what our circumstances. It’s not a fake kind of happiness that we try to produce by not complaining. But more like a quality that flows through us that comes from believing that “God’s in His heaven – all’s right with the world!” (Robert Browning, “Pippa’s Song”)

We know the world is not perfect; in fact, there are a lot of horrible things that happen among us humans. But we are not abandoned down here and left to our own devices. Our hope is the Lord and the power of His resurrection.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

Joy is for Others

When our joy is based on who God is and His power, we can weather any storm that comes our way! Trusting in God gives us joy that transcends our current circumstances.

Joy is the telltale indication of walking in the Spirit. Have you heard the hymn “Let Others See Jesus In You”? This biblically-based hymn asks the question, does your life reflect Christ’s love?

Although joy is a byproduct of walking in the Spirit, our ultimate goal is not to achieve joy but to reflect God’s love living in us.

When others see how God gives us joy, patience, peace, confidence, and thankfulness in any situation, we are like a homing beacon to people struggling with this world’s cares.

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35

Joy as a source of hope and happiness

Our God is a merciful, kind, and loving Father who cares for His children like a hen cares for her chicks. He protects, guides, shelters, and loves us more than anyone could imagine.

He is faithful to His promises in the Bible, and He pours out His blessings on all of His creation.

When we go through difficult episodes in our life, sometimes it’s hard to be content in the daily battle of a bad relationship or a chronic disease.

And if we are anxious, depressed, worrisome, bitter, or angry, we are often in a battle with ourselves.

God does not want you to live this life alone or in such a state of mind. He desires that you be “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ”. (Philippians 1:11)

Knowing that He has created you and everything is under His control, we trust that all things are done for our good and His glory.

This joy is not dependent on our circumstances but rather comes from a place of trust and faith in God. When we focus on Him, we can find true happiness from within.

So no matter what life throws your way, joy remains a constant source of hope and happiness.

These things I [Jesus] have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11

How to Maintain Your Joy in Difficult Times

I know nothing about a vineyard and how to take care of it, but I found this video if you would like to watch it: The Vinedresser (John 15)

Reading chapter 15 of John we see the following truths:

John 15:1, Jesus is the True Vine and the Father is the Vinedresser.
v. 2, the vinedresser’s job is to discard every branch that doesn’t produce fruit. This discarded branch is cut off, dropped on the ground, left to wither up and die, and later burned in the fire.
v. 3, Jesus assures His disciples (and us who know Him as Lord) that we are not the discarded branches.
v. 4, “Abide in Me, and I in you.”

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. John 15:1

Before being grafted into the True Vine, we live a life opposed to the Lord. However, after the Vinedresser grafts us into the living vine, that life-giving juice begins to flow through our bodies as a super nutrient juice giving us the ability to look like Jesus.

We begin to see the world differently as we take on Christ’s love and compassion. Our hearts begin to desire the things that pertain to our Lord. Our thoughts are on God and His goodness.

Being connected to that True Vine allows our lives to produce the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It just NATURALLY flows through us!

If we allow God’s Spirit to flow through us, we will be able to walk through anything the world throws at us.

Here are some ideas on how to keep the juices flowing.

Read God’s Word

The most needed and productive thing a Christian can do is read the Bible. How can we know who God is if we don’t read His Word? How can we know His commandments? How can we learn the characteristics of Christ if we don’t read about them in the Bible?

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Practice the Privilege of Prayer

Keep the communication lines open between you and the Father. We are encouraged to talk to God, and why not? When we consider the privilege we as His children possess, why wouldn’t we want to take advantage of that?

He’s the only one who truly understands what we are going through. Through prayer, our spirits are quieted, our burdens are lightened, and our thoughts become aligned with God’s will.

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

Keep the Commandments

Our faith walk is not merely keeping the Law. We are not required to follow a bunch of rules to receive God’s love. But God does request that our lives be holy because He is holy.

We will live morally, but it’s not because of any other reason than the Spirit living in us and guiding us.

We will keep His commandments if we truly belong to Him because of the work of the Holy Spirit.

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. John 15:10

10 Bible Verses about Joy

These verses are directly related to finding joy in our circumstances. Read them. Meditate on them. Memorize them. And you will begin to feel the joy juices flowing through your branch!

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. Psalm 27:6

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:4-5

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33