'The Fruit of the Spirit Is...Joy'
Galatians 5:22-23 describes the “fruit of the Spirit” — the qualities that come from following the direction of the Spirit of God. Today let’s think about joy.
Abraham Lincoln quipped, “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” He recognized that happiness is not a state that you achieve, but a state of mind that you choose. Real joy is not dictated by circumstances, but by choice.
Sure, good circumstances make it easier to be joyful. But reflect for a minute and you’ll probably recall people you’ve known who lived in prosperity and good health but were basically miserable. You probably can also recall those who had a lot of problems but were still full of joy.
Like the rest of the fruit of the Spirit, joy is rooted in a relationship with God. David said, “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 144:15). His son Solomon found that it is serving God that makes life worth living (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Life offers many things to be enjoyed, but by themselves those things are unsatisfying. Only when viewed as blessings from God do they bring true joy.
If we have constant reliance on God to sustain us, it enables us to have joy even in hardship. It enabled the apostles, after being flogged for preaching Jesus and ordered to stop, to go on their way rejoicing (Acts 5:40-42). It enabled Paul to be content “with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake” (2 Corinthians 12:10). It is because of that same confidence in God that we can “consider it all joy…when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2-3). Even if we may be mistreated for our faith, it can’t take away real joy. “Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great” (Matthew 5:11-12).
Real happiness is not about whether everything is going my way at the moment. Real happiness is not a reaction, but a choice. Ultimately, it is found in the choice to submit my life to Christ. It isn’t in having no cares at all, but in casting my cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7). It is knowing that this world is not my home (Philippians 3:20).
This week, may God grant you joy in every circumstance.
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