Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
As we continue our look at the Fruit of the Spirit, we come to the second on the list; ‘joy’. The word itself can mean happiness, gladness, or rejoicing, but there is so much more to it. I like to think of joy as the emotion of salvation.
1 Peter 1:8 (NIV)
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
People often confuse joy with happiness. Happy, from the word happenstance, is tied to circumstance. When our circumstances are just right, we will experience happiness. While happiness is good, joy is better. Joy is deeper. Joy is not dependent on circumstance. Joy comes from the Lord. It is a fruit of the Spirit.
We all go through times in our lives when we are facing some very difficult situations. Financial crisis, illness, loss, broken relationships, hurricanes, or other natural disaster; but we can still have joy.
James 1:2 (NIV)
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
That verse is one of those verses that should make you pause and ask ‘really’? Trials should be considered pure joy? We need to get some context to try and understand what James is saying.
James 1:2-4 (NIV)
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
The idea is that when we are going through trials, we need to remember that we are New Creation people and that we have an unswerving hope to hold onto. As we face trials, and as Holy Spirit leads and guides and helps us through them, we learn that we can always trust God. We know that these trials are temporary. There is a time coming when death will not exist and there will be no more pain or tears or hurt. We can lean into our hope, draw on His promise and experience this joy that the Spirit is producing regardless of the current situation and circumstances. Continue to yield to Holy Spirit as He develops His fruit in you!
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
