What Is True Joy?

Always be joyful.
1 Thessalonians 5:16

What is true joy?

There are many things we ask for in prayer. Many things we might wish God would give us.

And, if joy is one of them, as it is for most of us, then we need to have faith that God will give it to us.

When we think of joy, though, it might often come to our minds according to what we see in the world.

Maybe we believe that joy comes with getting a new car, or going on a vacation to the beach. We might find joy in those things, but that is not where true joy comes from.

True joy comes from deep inside of us. God sent his son and Jesus gave his life for us. When we remember that Jesus rose again from the cross we should feel true joy. When we see someone come to Jesus and accept his gift of Salvation we should experience true joy.

The Bible tells us that when we face trails we should feel joy. That when our faith is tested we should feel joy.

So, we should seek it out in prayer. We should ask God to fill us with joy. And we should know that true joy is better than, and possibly not quite like, anything we could imagine.

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.

1 James 1:2-3

By Bethany Acker, Co-Author of No Longer Broken