Joy

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

~ 1 Peter 12-13

Often times our joy changes with our circumstances. If our day is going well, we are happy. If not, we are sad or even depressed. As Christians our joy should be founded on who we are in Christ. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying being sad is a sin. It is completely legitimate. Jesus wept over Lazarus’ death even though he knew he would raise him from the dead. Jesus says in Matthew 26:38 to his disciples when he’s in Gethsemane, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” Jesus never sinned so it cannot be wrong to weep. What I am saying, though, is that our ultimate, life penetrating joy should not be found in our circumstances. It should flow from a realization of who God is, what He’s done for us and who we are as a result. If we find ourselves struggling in obtaining this kind of joy, we should ask ourselves what we are focusing on, our trials or our Savior.

Joy is also a choice that we make. Because we believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have the power to turn from sin and toward righteousness. It is completely unnatural for us to rejoice in trials. rather it is easier to complain and question God’s goodness. But God has overcome our sin nature. He is the king over all the world and he has conquered sin completely. He has broken its power over our lives so we no longer have to give in to it. It is because of this that we can rejoice even though our circumstances may be worse than we want them to be.