About Finding Joy and Where We Get It Wrong

I received an article that was an excerpt from a book written by a Christian author about finding joy. But after reading it, instead of walking away in total agreement, there was something that left me feeling unsettled. Something that left me thinking that this is where we get it wrong … a lot of us anyway.

The author of the book has experienced some devastating life circumstances. In the excerpt that I read, she talked about walking through trauma and grief and arriving at a place where she realized that she had to live for those still in her life. She talked about recognizing and being thankful for the people and many good things in her life and choosing to find joy.

And while I can identify and agree with all of that, there was something she said that I can’t buy into. She said that it’s up to you and no one else and proclaimed, “Joy is a one-woman job.” 

I beg to disagree. And I think this is where we get it wrong.

Anything we try to produce in our own efforts, our own will, and our own might will eventually fall flat. Only God can bring about real transformation and lasting change. Apart from God, we can do nothing.

A friend once asked me if I believed in the power of positive thinking. And without hesitation, I said no. It’s not that I don’t believe in thinking positive. I do, but positive thinking won’t bring about transformational joy in your life. That isn’t something we can self-manufacture.

As my friend and I discussed it, she concluded this: “It’s not the power of positive thinking.  It’s the power of the Word of God.”

Exactly.

And joy, true joy, is not found in the purposes or people we choose to live for. It’s not found by being thankful for all the good things that we have in our lives. It’s not found by seeing the glass as half full instead of half empty.

Those things are good postures to have and are practices that I recommend. But they will not bring you deep, soul-satisfying, enduring joy. Joy that can be found no matter what life throws your way.

That kind of joy can only be found when we place all our hope in God. When we seek God’s will and seek to please Him above all else. When we seek God’s face and rejoice in abiding in His presence.

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” I’ve heard this Bible verse quoted and seen it referenced many times throughout the course of my life. And I’ve often wondered about it and what it really means. And in more recent years, I began to take that question to God.

And here is where I landed. When you abide in the Lord and your greatest desire is to bring joy to Him, that is where you will find your strength. And that is where you will find your joy.

No, joy is not a one-woman job. It’s a one-man job. And that man’s name is Jesus.

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“I [Jesus] am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:5-11 (NIV)