Joy That Remains

“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. 

These three practices—joy, prayer, and gratitude—work together to keep our hearts strong in every season. They’re not about ignoring reality; they’re about remembering that God is greater than what we face.

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.

Joyous Expectations

The Christmas season stirs a sense of joyous expectation. But how do we find joy during seasons of waiting or hardship?

Imagine the weight of knowing you might not make it out of a desperate situation alive. That was the reality Martin and Gracia Burnham faced during their 376 days of captivity in the Philippine jungle. Martin, a New Tribes missionary, had dedicated his life to following Jesus—just as he had encouraged others to do during his last devotional in his Kansas hometown. Quoting the words of Jesus from John 21:22, Martin had challenged his church, saying, “As for you, follow me.” He didn’t just say those words; he lived them.

As their captivity wore on, the Burnhams realized that freedom might never come on this side of heaven. But instead of despairing, Martin turned to Scripture for strength. One night, as they lay in a hammock under a makeshift tent, Martin said to Gracia, “The Bible says to serve the Lord with gladness. Let’s go out all the way. Let’s serve Him all the way with gladness.”

What a remarkable statement in the midst of hardship! The Burnhams prayed, recited Scripture, and sang hymns together, choosing to focus on God rather than their circumstances. Hours later, a rescue attempt tragically ended Martin’s life and left Gracia injured—but not without hope. Even in death, Martin’s commitment to serve God with gladness stood as a testament to the joy found in following Christ wholeheartedly, no matter the cost.

This story challenges us to ask: How do we respond when life gets hard? 

Do we serve God with gladness, even in the darkest seasons? 

True joy isn’t tied to our circumstances but to our decision to trust God and worship Him through every trial.

Psalm 100:2 calls us to “Serve the Lord with gladness.” That’s not just a command for easy times; it’s a way we are to live in all situations. We can choose to live with joy when we are  enjoying blessings or enduring hardship. The reason for our ability to glorify God with joy is based on our confidence in His promises and His presence is with us. Like Martin Burnham, let us commit to serving God all the way—with gladness in our hearts—no matter what life may bring.

Advent is the season that reminds us to reflect on Jesus’s first coming as a way to prepare for his second coming. Through Advent, we meditate on God’s promises and choose to respond with hope, peace, and joy. 

Unlike fleeting happiness, which is tied to circumstances, joy is a choice—a deep trust in God’s faithfulness, even when life is hard. As we explore Scriptures from Zephaniah, Luke, and Colossians, we discover that joy comes from trusting God to keep His promises while hoping for better things to come.

Joy in the Waiting

“Sing for joy, Daughter Zion; shout loudly, Israel! Be glad and celebrate with all your heart…” (Zephaniah 3:14-17; CSB)

The prophet Zephaniah offers a vision of joy even amid waiting. Much of his prophecy speaks of judgment, yet in chapter 3, God gives His people hope. Zephaniah declares that a day is coming when judgment will end, enemies will be defeated, and God Himself will live among His people. This promise gives them a reason to rejoice, even while they wait.

For us, waiting on God’s promises can be difficult. Yet joy is found in trusting Him, even when circumstances feel uncertain. Zephaniah reminds us that God’s presence, salvation, and victory over fear are reasons to sing and rejoice. As followers of Jesus, we are called to find joy by anchoring ourselves in God’s promises—salvation, forgiveness, resurrection, and the hope of new creation.

Joy in God’s Fulfilled Promises

“And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” (Luke 1:46-55)

Mary’s song, the Magnificat, flows out of her joy in seeing God’s promises fulfilled. After learning she would give birth to the Messiah, Mary visits Elizabeth, whose own miraculous pregnancy confirms God’s faithfulness. Mary’s song rejoices in God’s power to lift the humble, feed the hungry, and bring justice.

Mary and Elizabeth saw God at work, but their circumstances—Roman oppression and poverty—remained challenging. They chose joy because they trusted in God’s promises. Similarly, we need to train our hearts to see God’s work in our daily lives. Gratitude for even the smallest blessings opens our eyes to His faithfulness. By recognizing God’s provision and transformation in our lives, we can respond with joy and praise.

Joy in Redemption Through Christ

“… being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully…” (Colossians 1:11-14)

Paul reminds the Colossians to be joyful and grateful, even as they face false teachings and challenges in their faith. Why? Because God has rescued them from darkness and brought them into His Kingdom of light. This incredible gift of salvation is the ultimate reason for joy.

Gratitude is essential for living with joy. When we take God’s blessings for granted, we focus on what we lack rather than what we’ve been given. Practicing gratitude—especially for our salvation—grounds us in joy, even during difficult seasons. As Paul prayed for the Colossians, we too can pray for strength and endurance to live with joy, trusting in the redemption Christ has already secured for us.

Conclusion: Choosing Joy

Advent is a time to prepare our hearts by remembering Jesus’ first coming and anticipating His return. As we reflect on God’s promises, His presence, and His gift of salvation, we are invited to live with joy—a joy not dependent on circumstances but on the hope and trust we have in Christ.

Read Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55 and spend time in prayer, committing to live with joy each day. Consider where you see God at work in your life and thank Him for His faithfulness.

Final Thought

Happiness comes and goes with life’s ups and downs, but joy is a choice grounded in Jesus. In all circumstances, we can rejoice because God is with us, His promises are true, and His redemption is secure. Let us choose joy, trusting in the One who has already brought us from darkness into His marvelous light.

Sunday Prayer: Joy In Our Hearts

 

Father in Heaven,

On this day, we lift our hearts to you in gratitude and joy. We thank you for the beauty of your creation that surrounds us, For the sun that warms our skin, and the breeze that refreshes our spirits.

We thank you for the blessings you have bestowed upon us, For the love of family and friends, and the joy they bring into our lives.

We ask that you fill us with your joy, A joy that is not dependent on circumstances or possessions, But a joy that comes from knowing Jesus and trusting in his sacrificial love.

May this joy overflow from our hearts and spill out into the world around us, May it be a light that shines in the darkness, a hope that brings comfort to those in need.

May we find joy in the simple things of life, In the laughter of children, the beauty of a sunset, and the taste of good food.

May we find joy in the challenges we face, Knowing that they will develop our character and help us become more like Jesus.

May we find joy in the moments of stillness, When we can rest in your presence and know that you are with us always.

Bless us, Heavenly Father and Creator of life, with your joy and your peace, And may we live each day with hearts full of gratitude and joy.

In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.