What is Joy?

What is joy?

Now that a new year of school has begun, people from other schools have joined. My day is filled with cracking jokes in order to make the new students laugh and feel comfortable, and it brings me great joy when they do so. How is that joy different from Paul's joy, which is seen in his letter to the Philippians?

1.) The joy that I experience does not last very long.
Paul's joy lasted his entire letter and entire life. The Christian joy is an adventure which deepens as the years go by.
2.) My joy was centred on myself.
A joyful Christian heart is rooted in Christ, and the assurance of salvation.
3.) My joy is not confident - i don't know whether people will laugh or not
God's promise of Heaven gives us joy that is confident.
4.) My joy isn't always shared with others
We share joy with other believers.
5.) My joy could be superficial
A Christian sense of joy comes from a deep awareness of life which is meaningful.

Joy is not about putting on a happy face, and distracting ourselves from the troubles we face. But in the midst of trials and sufferings, as Christians we should always remember that God tests us in order for us to grow in Him and act out our faith.

James 1:2
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

So let's have joy in Christ during times of hardship and suffering, have joy in the good results which will come out of it and have joy which will radiate from our insides out.
JTx