“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”
— John 15:11 (NLT)
We often confuse joy with happiness. Happiness is fragile because it depends on circumstances. It comes and goes with the rise and fall of our comfort, our success, or our sense of security. When life goes our way, we’re happy. When it doesn’t, happiness quickly fades.
Joy, however, is something entirely different. It runs deeper than emotion. Joy doesn’t come from what’s happening around us, but from who is living within us. It’s a gift from God, rooted in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
When Jesus spoke the words recorded in John 15, He was preparing His disciples for sorrow and confusion. The cross was coming. Their world would soon fall apart. Yet, right there in the middle of that looming darkness, Jesus spoke about joy—His joy. “I have told you these things,” He said, “so that you will be filled with my joy.”
That’s an incredible promise. The joy Jesus gives isn’t something we have to create or maintain by our own effort. It’s something He places within us through His Spirit. It’s His joy shared with us—the same joy that sustained Him through the cross, the same joy that flows from His unbroken relationship with the Father.
In other words, Christian joy doesn’t ignore pain or pretend everything is fine. Instead, it faces hardship honestly but with confidence that God is still good, still faithful, and still at work. Joy remembers that the story isn’t over yet. It trusts that resurrection always follows the cross.
That’s why Nehemiah could tell God’s people, “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10, NLT). When we are weary and uncertain, joy gives us strength to keep going. When fear rises, joy reminds us of God’s unchanging presence. When hope feels small, joy rekindles the flame.
The Apostle Paul echoed this same truth in his letter to the Thessalonian church:
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NLT)
Paul’s words remind us that joy isn’t something we wait to feel—it’s something we practice. He invites us to cultivate three habits that sustain joy:
- Always be joyful — Choose to rest in God’s goodness even when life is hard.
- Never stop praying — Keep your heart connected to the Source of joy.
- Be thankful in all circumstances — Remember that God’s grace is still present, even in the struggle.
Lately, I’ve been reminded of this truth a lot. I know people who are dealing with health issues and others who are facing end of life realities. I know of people who are facing financial difficulties and others who walking through job losses. There are many people I am connected to whose future feels uncertain. It would be easy to let fear or discouragement take over. But in moments like these, God invites us to return to His joy—the kind that doesn’t depend on the economy, circumstances, or control, but on Christ’s faithful presence.
When we stay close to Jesus, His joy becomes our strength. When we pray together, give thanks together, and care for one another, His joy fills our hearts and reminds us that we are not alone.
True joy remains because Christ remains. And because He remains, we can face tomorrow with confidence and peace.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for the joy that never fades, even when life feels uncertain. Help us to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in every circumstance. Teach us to remain in Jesus, to draw our strength from His presence, and to trust that You are working for our good. Fill us with Your peace and renew our joy today. Amen.
Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.
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