As we step into this season of reflection, I find myself pondering the true essence of joy—an unshakable gift that isn’t dependent on our circumstances but rooted in the unwavering presence of God. Life can often pull us in many directions, and emotions can rise and fall like waves, but joy offers a constant anchor. It’s a choice we make, not a fleeting feeling that comes and goes. This joy isn’t about ignoring the struggles we face, but about finding strength and peace in the presence of the One who never changes. Today, I want to explore how we can apply this joy in our lives, how it can carry us through every storm, and how we can choose to embrace it no matter what.
Joy isn’t something we wait for—it’s a gift we open in every moment, whether in laughter or tears. – Anchored In Hope
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“I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” — Luke 2:10
At the heart of the message of hope, the angel delivered words of great joy. But this joy is not the fleeting happiness we often feel in response to our circumstances. It is not something that can be earned, nor is it dependent on what’s happening around us. The joy that the angel spoke of is a joy that comes only from God—a gift that doesn’t fade and a strength that doesn’t fail.
The Fleeting Nature of Emotions
As humans, we are deeply influenced by our emotions. One moment, we may feel elated, and the next, discouraged. Our feelings can often dictate our actions, leading us to believe that our worth is tied to how we feel at any given moment. Whether it’s the excitement of a celebration, the sorrow of a loss, or the anxiety over something uncertain, emotions can sometimes overwhelm us, making us feel as though we’re being pulled in different directions.
The truth is that emotions are fleeting. One moment we feel one thing, and in the next, we feel something completely different. This is part of the human experience, and there’s nothing wrong with experiencing a wide range of emotions. They are a natural response to the world around us. But if we allow our emotions to define us, or worse, control us, we can quickly become stuck—paralyzed by sadness, fear, or frustration.
The Strength of God’s Joy
Joy, however, is different. Joy is not something that comes and goes with the tides of our emotions. Joy is a gift from God, grounded in His unchanging nature, His eternal promises, and the deep, unwavering love He has for us.
When the angel announced the good news of salvation, he declared that it would bring great joy to all people—not because of a change in circumstances, but because of the arrival of Emmanuel — God with us. This is the joy that transcends every temporary emotion. It’s the joy that comes from knowing that God has entered our world to be with us, to redeem us, and to give us hope.
The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength
Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” This is not just a comforting verse—it’s a declaration of truth. When we face difficult circumstances, it’s easy to be consumed by our feelings. But when we turn to God and focus on the joy He provides, we are strengthened.
The joy of the Lord doesn’t depend on our circumstances or how we feel in the moment. It is anchored in the eternal truth of who God is and what He has done for us. That joy fills us, lifts us, and empowers us to move forward in spite of our feelings. It gives us the courage to step up when we feel like stepping back. It gives us the peace to press on when the world around us is chaotic.
How Do We Access This Joy?
- Focus on God’s Presence: True joy comes from being in the presence of God. When we take time to seek Him through prayer, worship, and reflection on His Word, His joy begins to fill us, replacing our fleeting emotions with His eternal peace and strength.
- Remind Ourselves of His Promises: The promises of God are steadfast. He promises never to leave us, to work all things for our good, and to give us strength in our weakness. When we remember these truths, our perspective shifts from what we feel to what we know to be true about God.
- Choose Joy: Joy is a choice. In the face of difficulty, we can choose to find joy in God’s character, in His love, and in His work in our lives. Even if our emotions don’t immediately align with joy, we can choose to lean into it and trust that God’s joy will strengthen us.
Joy That Transcends
Let’s remind ourselves that great joy has already been given to us. It’s not tied to our circumstances, our achievements, or our feelings. The joy of knowing Jesus, the joy of His salvation, and the joy of His presence is a gift that sustains us through every season.
No matter what we face, we can hold onto this joy. We can choose to rise above fleeting emotions and step into the strength that God’s joy provides. It is the joy that allows us to face hardship with hope, to stand firm in the face of adversity, and to move forward with faith. It’s the joy of knowing that God is with us, He is for us, and He will never leave us.
This is the joy that will never fade—a joy that carries us, empowers us, and fills us with strength for every moment.
Joy is a choice we make every day, not based on what happens to us, but on the God who never changes.
– Anchored In Hope
Heavenly Father,
We come before You today with hearts full of gratitude for the joy You have given us through the birth of Your Son, Jesus. As the angel proclaimed to the shepherds, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Lord, we thank You for this gift of joy that transcends the ups and downs of our emotions and remains steady in the midst of every season of life.
Father, we acknowledge that our emotions often sway like the tide, pulling us in many directions. One moment, we are filled with elation, and the next, we are weighed down with sorrow, anxiety, or fear. In our human nature, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the feelings that rise within us. But, Lord, You remind us that our emotions are fleeting—like shadows that fade with the light. Help us not to let them define who we are or dictate our actions, but instead, to look to You for the true foundation of joy that remains constant.
We thank You for the joy that comes from knowing You—joy that is not based on our circumstances but on the unchanging truth of who You are. When the angel announced the birth of Jesus, it was a declaration of joy for all people, not because of what was happening in the world, but because of the arrival of Emmanuel, God with us. This is the joy that fills our hearts, knowing that You are with us, that You have entered our world to redeem us, and that we have the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Lord, we confess that sometimes it feels hard to choose joy, especially in moments of pain or uncertainty. But Your Word reminds us that “the joy of the Lord is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). When we face hardships, we can lean into Your joy, knowing that it does not depend on how we feel in the moment, but on the eternal truth of Your love and faithfulness. Help us to remember that, no matter what we face, You are with us and that Your joy will empower us to rise above every challenge.
Father, teach us to access this joy by turning our hearts toward You. Help us to seek Your presence daily through prayer, worship, and reflection on Your Word. Let Your joy fill us, replacing fleeting emotions with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Remind us of Your promises—the assurance that You will never leave us, that You are working all things for our good, and that You are our strength in times of weakness.
Lord, help us to choose joy even when our emotions do not align with it. Let Your joy be our anchor in every storm, our light in the darkest moments. May we embrace the joy of knowing that You are with us, that You are for us, and that Your love is unshakable. Teach us to lean into Your joy, trusting that it will sustain us, empower us, and fill us with strength for each new day.
Thank You, Father, for the gift of joy that is ours in Christ Jesus. Thank You for a joy that never fades, a joy that carries us through every season of life. May Your joy be our strength today and always.
In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray.
Amen.
