The Joy Factor

Have you ever met someone who is always positive... Who always seems to have "it" together? It seems that nothing gets him or her down even when circumstances would seemingly justify a bad mood. Maybe you know someone who is always calm and level-headed and you wonder, "How does he or she do it...is there no sense of urgency?" Some situations call for a bit of emotion - don't they?

On the other hand, maybe you know someone who always has something to complain about... who always seems to look for a reason to be upset. It seems that nothing makes him or her happy. It seems he or she is always under attack by someone or something. How does he or she always seem to read negatively into every situation? How does one person have so many things going wrong at one time? Something has to be positive somewhere, right?



Always is an extreme term and we all know that no human being truly experiences any emotion of circumstance all the time. So how is it that he or she has the appearance of being so?

Honestly, as we approach each day, we make a choice as to how we will carry ourselves and how we will view what happens around us and to us. You maybe asking, "So, you are saying a person chooses to be grumpy and negative....or happy and joyful?" The answer is a resounding, "YES."

Fred Bittner in his blog titled, Bible Verses About Joy: 25 Scriptures, says, "Joy is not an emotion that can be forced, fabricated, or faked. There are times when joy eludes us. This is normal and we need to understand that there are times when we will not feel joyful."

Yet, it is important to recognize that our ability to experience joy is not at the mercy of our circumstances. We can experience joy in all situations.  In James 1:2-3 NIV, we are told, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." So, how do we choose to be joyful over choosing to be grumpy, mean-spirited, or just plain negative? Is it possible to emulate a joyful spirit at all times? If so, what steps do we take?

We can experience joy when...

We are secure in our relationship with Jesus. When others allow their emotions to be determined based upon what they see, hear, or experience that day, we can consciously  choose to be like David in Psalm 4:6-8 MSG when he says, "Why is everyone hungry for more? “More, more,” they say. “More, more.” I have God’s more-than-enough, more joy in one ordinary day than they get in all their shopping sprees. At day’s end I’m ready for sound sleep, for you, God, have put my life back together." If we place our trust in Jesus alone, no matter what situation we find ourselves in, we are safe in Him. We can rest in the assurance that the Holy Spirit is with us every minute of every day and that alone can give us joy in the bleakest of circumstances.

The Apostle Paul supports this in Romans 8:18 ESV when he says, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." When we know what is to come, there is no losing, not even in death. What a great realization.

We have a certainty of purpose for our life. We view our lives and our work to be that of a mission and not of a series of happenstance incidents.  Psalm 16:11 NIV says, "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." When we look at our lives and jobs as mission fields, we will find joy knowing that He is allowing us to use our God-given gifts and talents. We will see the opportunities that He has placed before us and know that He has equipped us with the tools necessary to complete the mission successfully.

We spend our life praising God for who He is and what He has already done. When we praise God, we place our focus on something that is far bigger than what is happening at the present moment. With the focus taken away from ourselves or our current circumstances, we are able to share King David's mindset as he says in Psalm 21:5-7 NIV, "Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty. Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord; through the unfailing love of the Most High, he will not be shaken." Here David compares the victories and personal glory the Lord had given him to the joy he experiences in God's presence. His focus was on God alone and he was able to experience pure joy as a result. Likewise, when our focus is heavenward, our eyes are opened to the work that God is doing around us. In a way, we are able to see a bigger picture and appreciate the beauty in the way that everything works for the glory of His kingdom. Psalm 92:4-5 MSG says, "You made me so happy, God, I saw your work and I shouted for joy. How magnificent your work, God! How profound your thoughts! Dullards never notice what you do; fools never do get it." Imagine how much joy we will experience when we can clearly see the work that is being done around us daily even when the situation or circumstance is not necessarily pleasant.

Though joy is not a switch that can be flipped on and off, we, as Christians, can focus our thought-life on heavenly things. We learn to experience joy despite our circumstances as we rest in the Way, The Truth, and The Life, Jesus Christ, instead of ourselves. By doing so, we stand apart as calm, confident, peaceful, and joyful. What choice are you going to make today?


Almighty Father,


We pray for our relationship with you to grow and mature. Help us to slow down and spend time studying Your Word, worshiping You, and reflecting Your character instead of focusing on the minutia of daily living. Let us understand that the more we know You, and sense Your presence, the more confident and secure we become. Help us accept challenges and hiccups that come our way as part of our work in fulfilling our Godly purpose. When we do so, we will embrace every step with a peace and joy that will surpass understanding. Turn our eyes toward Your true magnificence and the amazing works You have done. Help us to see You in everyday things, so that our joy can be contagious and others will be curious about You. It is in the strong name of Jesus we pray...Amen.