The Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength

In the books of Philippians, the apostle Paul is thanking the Church at Philippi for their partnership and the gift they sent to him during his imprisonment in Rome. Paul was in prison chains when he wrote this letter to the Philippians to strengthen and encourage their faith and show them that true joy comes only from Jesus Christ. 

“ I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ”

Philippians 1:3-6, NIV

Paul’s imprisonment in chain served in a way that advanced the gospel. It became clear to whole palace guard and to everyone else that Paul was in chains for Christ. To take it a step further, Paul’s circumstance encouraged some of his fellow brother to speak God’s Word more courageously and fearlessly. Although not all people preached out of goodwill and love, for some preached out of envy and rivalry to stir up trouble for Paul while he was in chains. Overall, Paul still rejoiced that the word of God was getting preached, whether from false motives or true motive. 

Paul had to endure adversity and suffering for Christ, but it concluded with a positive outcome that encouraged others to speak fearlessly for Christ. His perspective was greater than his circumstance alone. Paul said in Philippians 1:20-21, “ I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or death. For to me, to live is Christ and die is gain .”

Throughout Paul’s letter, he puts great emphasis on rejoicing in the Lord; Joy is a dominant theme in his letter. Paul’s joy is clearly not found through his circumstances, but rather, it is grounded in his relationship with Jesus Christ. Like Paul’s example, we are to be joyful in every circumstance, failure, inconvenience, bad situation, and even when there is no joy in the people surrounding us. As Christians, we have the guarantee that Christ still reigns, so we must look to Him for our strength and joy. At all times we can rejoice because we know Christ in our life and that He is God.

Choose to Be Joyful

“ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

Philippians 4:4, NIV

God’s Children are called to rejoice in the Lord. We are able to choose joy in the midst of chaos, because joy is already ours through Christ. It is possible to choose joy in all circumstances, because we always have access to it. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, which is gifted to us through our life in Jesus Christ. So, Christ is our source of joy! He is the reason why we can choose to be joyful in this world that is fading away. That is why Paul had a joyful attitude and positive perspective. Because of Christ in him. Christ is in us too!

The wonderful fact that Christ is with us means that we do not need to be anxious about anything, instead we can have peace from God. It says in Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV),

“ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus .”

The world may have its dark corners, hardships, struggles, pains, and sorrows, BUT through the joy of the Lord we shine the light of Christ in the dark corners, endure the hardships, push through the struggles, and have joy in the sorrows. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Again, Christ is our source of joy! The Lord’s strength rids the darkness, is our endurance, gives us strength to push through, and provides us with His joy in the times of sorrow or in pain. When we seek Christ in all circumstances, the peace of God will guard our hearts and mind in Christ Jesus. The joy of the Lord is our strength to give us peace and joy in our hearts and minds!

Choose to Be Content

Our contentment is not determined by our circumstances. Moreover, it is found in Christ.  We ought to choose to have to right attitude and perspective. Simply observe the perspective and attitude of Paul. He knew that God gave him the strength needed to endure the times of need or times of plenty, whether fed or hungry, and any other situation that were to come his way. 

“ I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. ” Philippians 4:10-13, NIV

Often times when we are discontent in our current season, we will be discontent in the season that follows. We have the ability, like Paul displayed in the book of Philippians, to choose to be content where we are, even if the situation is not comfortable or the most pleasant. Let us follow the example of Paul by viewing our circumstances from a positive perspective and living in contentment. For the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Paul is not stating that he was happy in all his circumstances, but that God supplied him with the strength to get through any and every situation that he experienced. He knew where his strength came from, or more like who his strength come from. It did not come from his own strength, otherwise he would have failed miserably. Christ was the source of his strength.

The same goes for us too. We can choose to be content in all circumstances by the strength of Christ in our life. If we did not have Christ in our life, we too would fail at choosing contentment in the bad times. Thanks be to God for supplying us with His joy and strength in the good times and the bad. 

Defining Joy vs. Happiness

Joy should not be confused with happiness; Happiness is not the same as joy. Joy goes much deeper than happiness. Happiness is fleeting and fickle, because it is determined by our circumstances, mood, emotions, and feelings. Happiness is found in the happy times not the sad times. Joy is found regardless of the circumstances, since it lives in us. 

The interesting thing about joy is that you can have joy even when you feel other emotions. Emotion means “a natural instinctive state of mind deriving from one's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others.” Emotions are derived from our circumstances, our mood, or our relationship with others. Joy is derived from Christ within us, the strength of Christ, and our  relationship with Christ . 

Joy is an internal source not an external source. If it was an external source, the effects of joy would fade away or be short-lived. External sources are temporary, because they do not last. True joy comes through an internal source and it is always accessible. Joy cannot be bought or earned. If joy could be bought, then joy would be determined by external sources. If joy had to be earned, then we would never qualify. Joy is a choice and attitude of the heart and spirit.

Joy fills us in ways that happiness could never compare to. There is nothing or no one aside from Christ that can bring us true joy. He is the giver of joy. Seeking the Lord bring us the joy that is ours in Him, which gives us the strength that is found in Him alone. That is how we can be confident that the joy of the Lord is our strength. 

The joy of the Lord is eternal and ever faithful. Christ is our source of joy. It can change us from the inside-out. Through our life in Him, we can choose JOY. 

A Few Things to Remember about Joy:

• Joy is more than feelings and emotions.
• Joy is not the same as happiness.
• Joy is always accessible and ever faithful.
• Joy is found from an internal source, not an external source.
• Joy cannot be bought or earned.
• Joy changes us from the inside-out.
• Joy is a Fruit of the Spirit.
• Joy is a gift from God.

Bible Verses about Joy:

 “ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ” 

Philippians 4:4, NIV

 “ Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus .” 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV

 “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ” 

Galatians 5:22-23, NIV

 “ You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever .”

 Psalm 30:11-12, NIV

 “ The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song .” 

Psalm 28:7, NIV

 “ Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance .” 

James 1:2-3, NIV

 “ Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! ” 

Psalm 32:11, NIV

 Interested in learning more about the Fruit of the Spirit? Check out this  encouraging article .