Joy That Lasts

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds." - James 1:2 
  
Joy is often defined as a feeling of great pleasure, happiness, or excitement. But if you think joy is the same as happiness, you’re missing something crucial. Happiness is tied to what’s happening around you—when things are going well, the bills are paid, your relationships are thriving, or your health is strong.  

  But what happens when life falls apart? When your marriage is struggling, your finances are tight, or sickness hits your body, does that mean joy is impossible? No. Because joy is much deeper than a fleeting feeling based on circumstances.
 
In James 1:2, the Bible tells us to “count it all joy” even when we face trials. That sounds strange, right? Why should we feel joy in hard times? The answer is that biblical joy isn’t dependent on your circumstances. It’s not a reaction to what’s happening around you, it’s an inner reality that is anchored in God. No matter what storm is raging in your life, no matter the sorrow, joy can still live inside you.

Frankie Beverly captured this in his song “Joy and Pain” when he sang, “There will be sorrow but you will endure; where there's a flower, there’s the sun and the rain.” Just like sunshine and rain go hand in hand, joy and pain can coexist. But the joy that comes from God isn’t something the world can give or take away. It’s not a temporary feeling, it’s a supernatural gift.  
This joy comes from being rooted in a relationship with God. It’s the kind of joy that keeps you grounded even when life is hard. It’s a joy that is stronger than any trial you face, a joy that shines through the darkest days.  

When you’re living according to God’s will, joy doesn’t disappear when hard times come. It stays with you because it’s not about what’s happening around you, it’s about who’s working within you.  

That’s the kind of joy you want. The kind that lasts. The kind that can only come from God.