“What is joy to you?” I asked my friend as we were driving home one afternoon.
“I connect joy with peace,” she replied. “It’s being rooted in something deep that can’t be taken away by external circumstances; being calm despite the storms surrounding you.”
I know what you’re thinking, and yes, my friend is a deep thinker.
A lot of the time when we consider joy, it’s easy to link it to a moment, a fleeting feeling that doesn’t last and can be gone as easy as it comes. But what if that’s not the only joy we can find in life?
What if we could find a joy that is deep and doesn’t depend on our present surroundings? One that also brings contentment and peace that cannot be taken from us? Wouldn’t that be a joy that’s worth finding?
Well, being the ‘deep thinker’ that I am, I went to the very accurate google to see where others find their joy – and got answers I could have easily thought of if I wasn’t distracted by the kids outside playing frisbee. It was a list filled with activities and events like exercise, getting married, shopping, being with friends, writing, drawing, hiking, etc.
What I did think about this list though, was, what happens if you break your arm or ankle and can no longer exercise? Or when you find out marriage isn’t just the fairytale ending we see in the movies? When we run out of money, have to say goodbye to our friends, have writer’s block, or just can’t get that line or shade right? Maybe I’m pessimistic but these things to me, as great as they are, are a temporary moment of joy based on the circumstances of our life.
I’m not saying it’s wrong to find joy in things – Christ found happiness in nature, and it’s a blessing to find pleasure in the small things. But once life gets uncertain, what comes next? The joy usually disappears, and what’s left is stress, anxiety, dread, and all the words that describe unease.
Finding joy in uncertainty
“What am I going to do this year?!” I asked my friend in desperation as I was packing my bookbag, ready to head out. We were coming to the end of a canvassing trip in Victoria early last year.
“What do you mean?” he answered tiredly.
“There’s only a few more weeks left before this program ends, and I have nothing for this year!”
“And?”
“I have no idea what I’m going to do!” What didn’t he understand? The trip was coming to an end, and my plan for the year had a big chance of falling through. I’m happy to be flexible and take risks, but I also need to know I have something to fall back on in case it doesn’t work out. I didn’t have a back-up plan yet, and without it, my anxiety was through the roof.
“Have you ever been left with nothing to do?” he asked me, snapping me out of my anxious thoughts.
“No… but I’ve always known what I’d be doing by now.”
“Has God ever let you down before?” He asked again, frustrating me with his clear logic.
“No…”
“Do you think He’ll let you down this time?”
“No…”
“Well then,” he finished, “do you have your books ready to go?”
What does the Bible say about joy?
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations.
James 1:2
Now, this is the joy that we’re looking for. Rather than allowing the circumstances of life to decide whether we’re going to be happy or not, this verse is telling us to find joy despite them.
But where is it found?
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Romans 15:13
God wants us to find that joy and peace in Him, and in turn, we’ll have a hope that will abound even when we fall into moments that would’ve otherwise filled us with dread.
Jesus and joy
Let’s have a look at the life of Christ, our greatest example. Described as a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief, if there was ever anyone on this earth who suffered trials and temptations, it was Him. But this is how Ellen White describes Him:
…Though His life was self-denying and shadowed with pain and care, His spirit was not crushed. His countenance did not wear an expression of grief and repining, but ever one of peaceful serenity. His heart was a wellspring of life, and wherever He went He carried rest and peace, joy and gladness.
SC p. 120
Despite the circumstances of His life, He still experienced the joy, peace, rest and gladness that is promised in this life. Looking ahead, He could see the joy that would come through receiving us back into the family of God, and He endured the cross for our sake, despite the shame.
By His death and resurrection, Jesus has given us a hope we can cling to during moments of trial and temptation. This is where we will find peace and contentment. And this is something that can’t be taken from us.
Words cannot describe the peace and joy possessed by him who takes God at His word. Trials do not disturb him, slights do not vex him. Self is crucified. Day by day his duties may become more taxing, his temptations stronger, his trials more severe; but he does not falter; for he receives strength equal to his need.
The Youth Instructor, June 26, 1902
Joy in trials and temptations
This world is filled with uncertainties and trials, but we have a promise that we can have peace, joy and contentment through it all. My friend was right, God has never let me down. A week after our conversation, God opened a door that kept me busy for the rest of the year, and now faced with the same problem again, I feel unmoved by it.
The Bible says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps 34:8), He wants us to experience His promises, to know for ourselves that He keeps His word. Next time circumstances try to discourage you, ask yourself, “Has God ever let me down before?” Go to His word, cling to His promises, and experience the joy and peace that comes from faith in Him. This is the joy He wants to fill us with.
WRITER: Kayla Reay, attends Warburton SDA church.