Joy in the In-Between - Devotion 1
What is Joy?
The question is pretty evident from the title for today. What is joy? How would you define it? Joy is one of those words that evokes a lot of emotions in us, but can be extremely hard to define. The definition of joy can be, and often is, different for each person and situation. What is joy, really?
We now live in a time where artificial intelligence, or AI, is a helpful tool. I realize that some of you who are reading today think that AI is a great tool, and others of you may just be freaked out by it. It is kind of like how we would define joy, right? I decided to ask ChatGPT4o for a definition of joy, and it gave a pretty good definition:
“Joy can be defined as a deep and enduring sense of happiness and contentment that arises from positive experiences, meaningful connections, personal achievements, or moments of fulfillment. It is an emotional state characterized by feelings of delight, pleasure, and well-being. Unlike temporary feelings of happiness that might come and go quickly, joy tends to be more lasting and profound, often accompanied by a sense of appreciation and gratitude.”
Joy and happiness are often linked and thought of in the same way. While happiness is absolutely a part of joy, it is an emotion of joy. You can be joyful without being happy. Happiness is contingent on your circumstances; joy is not. Listen to what James writes in James 1:2-4, “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.”
Wait, you mean I am called to “count it all joy” even when life stinks? When trials are in my life and I do not know what to do, I am supposed to be joyful? When my faith is tested, I should be joyful; because, somehow, this is going to allow me to be able to stand firm and I will not lack anything when I have gone through it,
Yes! Because joy is so much more than happiness.
Joy is not an emotion that you always feel. It is something that goes so much deeper. Like our AI friend said earlier, joy is “more lasting and profound.” Joy is confidence in who God is, not in how your circumstances will turn out. Gratitude is an attribute of true and lasting joy.
Joy is something that I struggle with. Joy, for me, has often been circumstantial. How I look at life situations is so often defined by my feelings, and so my joy is also defined by my feelings. However, I am learning that joy is knowing that I am held by Jesus and He is never going to leave me. The more grateful I am, the more joy that comes to me. It is not that I am always happy, nor do I always see the good in every situation, but joy comes from God alone.
Living in the in-between brings us sorrow at times, if not at many times. However, even in the midst of sorrow, you can be joyful.
Come back tomorrow for some more of the foundation for joy.