“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice”

Philippians 4:4 (KJV)

Joy– (noun) a state of happiness or felicity; (verb) to experience great pleasure or delight.

When we look around in our world today, it seems that joy, real joy, is in short supply. There seems to be a sense of angst and hopelessness in the air as we watch events play out around the world, and as we face our own personal challenges from day to day. All and in all it can threaten to suck the light and joy right out of us.

As believers, we are called to be joyful, not just in the good times but in the bad ones as well. Of course this is sometimes easier said that done; a lot of times we can make ourselves sick with worry over things real or imagined, and leave room for the enemy to come in and steal our sense of peace and stability.

But if we’re going to be effective lights in this world, called to share the joy and peace that we have in Christ with others, we cannot dwell in a place of gloom and defeat for too long. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid” Matt 5:14. (KJV) Nor should we attempt to stay joyful in our own flesh, which is not only futile, but exhausting as well. True joy comes from the Father, and it’s only in Him and through Him that we draw everything that we need to live a fruitful Christian life, and this would mean our joy as well.

Have you ever met another believer who seems to be joyful all the time? Joy simply exudes from them like an actually extension of who they are as a person. But if you look a little closer at a lot of these people, you can tell that it’s more than just a character trait or cheerful disposition; you can tell that whatever they exhibit comes from the inside, and it’s something that we can all have if we stay connected to the source, Jesus himself. “…in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11 (KJV)

In a world where people are desperately searching for love, peace, hope; joy is contagious, and we should take it with us wherever we go. It might seem like a small thing, but there are people that we meet every day who need it more than we will ever know. Not everyone knows Jesus or have the hope of salvation that we have; and we should be ready to share it with them whenever we can. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man who asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15 (KJV)

There are certainly going to be days when we won’t feel like it; when simply getting out of bed in the morning takes great effort; days when we feel like there’s nothing to be joyful about. These are the times when we need to press in and rely on the Savior, because we cannot do it in our own flesh. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 (KJV). So whatever trial or test may come our way today, let us make a determined effort to choose joy in spite of what we see, in spite of how we feel; and let us continue to be a beacon of light and hope to those around us who need it.