Life can be incredibly hard. Every person—no matter how strong—eventually comes face-to-face with the weight of the world: grief, loneliness, failure, injustice, anxiety, pain. We’re born into a world that is both beautiful and broken. Some days, even getting out of bed feels like a battle. Prayers can seem unanswered, relationships fall apart, and hope feels like it’s slipping through our fingers.
There’s no denying it—navigating this world is difficult. In these times, we often struggle to find contentment, much less happiness. Jesus warned us in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble.” He didn’t sugarcoat reality. He didn’t promise that following Him would lead to a pain-free, struggle-free life. Instead, He died on the cross for our sins and gave us the tools we need to endure and overcome—the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit produces abundant gifts in our lives: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). These are not optional rewards or personality traits we may or may not receive—they are the virtues the Holy Spirit actively cultivates within every believer. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, these fruits already dwell in you.
Do you feel like you're lacking in one—or many—of these virtues? You’re not alone. Life’s trials often distract us from relying on the Holy Spirit, leaving us out of practice.
Today, I want to focus on one small but powerful word in that list: joy. This single word has a profound impact on how we navigate life and how we represent Christ to others.
Modern culture tells us that joy is an emotion tied to circumstances: take the vacation, land the dream job, buy the designer clothes, or maybe the barista just gets your coffee order right. In this worldview, joy is like a vending machine reward—you press a few buttons, pay the price, and you're given a fleeting sense of happiness. Dopamine released; joy acquired. Right?
Not quite.
This secular joy is a temporary after-effect of something you had to work for; it’s fleeting, conditional, and shallow. It’s simply one-dimensional glee––untinged by anger or sadness. It’s more accurately described as happiness—a surface-level emotion dependent on what we do or what happens to us. It’s unstable and momentary. True joy, however, is something entirely different.
Joy in Christ contradicts the world’s definition. It often appears in moments where happiness seems impossible. James 1:2 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” Trials are hard—they can bring sadness, uncertainty, anxiety, grief, and loneliness. They certainly do not bring happiness. James is not telling us to enjoy our suffering. He’s pointing to something deeper than happiness— Joy.
This joy does not rely on any materialism or circumstances, but rather on faith in the Lord. Let’s go back to James 1:2 and include the third verse: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” We can respond to life’s trials with joy because we know that the Lord will use all things for His good (Romans 8:28), and we do not labor in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).
Biblical joy rests upon our faith in the Lord. When we are struggling to feel this joy, the answer is not more materialism or achievements—it’s realignment. We must reorient our hearts toward God and remember His promises.
Biblical joy is not a fleeting emotion or a dopamine spike. It is a way of being—a mindset, a lifestyle, a spiritual tool. James uses the word “consider” deliberately. It suggests intentionality. We must choose to step back, “consider” what God is doing and has done—we must trust Him.
This joy in Christ also coexists with difficult emotions. It doesn't replace sorrow, anger, or grief—it transcends them. In the New Testament, Paul writes to the Corinthians: “In all our troubles my joy knows no bounds” (2 Cor. 7:4). He also describes the Macedonian believers: “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (2 Cor. 8:2). Other verses also express this idea of suffering and joy coexisting: “You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions” (Hebrews 10:34).
The scripture is clear: joy and suffering can coexist. This distinction is what separates joy from happiness.
As Christians, we will face trouble, frustration, sadness, and injustice, but these emotions do not define our reality—Jesus Christ reigns, and that truth is our unshakable source of joy.
Biblical joy is a choice. It is hope. It is faith. It is knowing that Jesus is in control. When we pursue joy in the Lord, this gift becomes a weapon against despair, a tool for endurance, and a witness to the world.
When everything around us feels like it’s falling apart, we cling to the One who never changes. When we feel overwhelmed by grief, stress, or expectation, Jesus reminds us that He has already walked through the darkness—and conquered it.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
Prayer:
Jesus, You said we would have trouble in this world. Life is hard, and some days it feels like too much, but You also said to take heart, because You have overcome the world. Remind me that I don’t walk through this world alone. Fill me with Your joy, even in the chaos. Teach me to trust You in the midst of trails, and forgive me when I fail to remember to have the faith that leads to joy. In Your holy name, Amen.