What does it mean to have JOY despite your circumstance? This is something I have been walking through this past year. How can I be joyful in every situation? This seems impossible and irrational. The truth of being a part of the Kingdom is that not only is this possible but it is intended for us. If you seek the Lord’s perspective in your circumstances instead of your own feelings and pity; joy will come. Joy is not something you feel apart from Christ! Momentary and circumstantial happiness is not the same as joy. Joy is independent of your circumstance. Joy is constant. Jesus is the source of the joy in your life. This truth means your joy cannot be taken from you! There is an overwhelming peace that comes from this truth. No matter the circumstance, trial, pain, or confusion you are walking through, there is a promise you can hold on to and a hope you can look towards:as a child of God you cannot be separated from Him!
Romans 8:38-39 says, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Our hope is eternal life with Him!
John 10:28-30 says, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
If you can’t be separated from Him and your eternity is secure in the Lord, then ANYTHING you walk through can be overcome by the strength of the Lord and the perspective He gives in these light and momentary afflictions. Does this mean you live your life laughing and smiling constantly? No. Joy is produced by the Holy Spirit. Whatever we walk through, we cling to Jesus and set our eyes on His glory! This joy is found in being with Jesus!
Are you taking time to meet with your Saviour? You cannot expect to be full of joy if you’re going to other things to fill you. Your source must be the all-satisfying and never ending well that is in Christ Jesus. He wants your time! He is worthy of your time! True Joy will flow from this place. The closer you draw to Jesus, the more you will have His perspective.
Written by Sarah Duncan, a staff member of YWAM Maui