Biblical Answer

The Foundation of Joy in Everyday Moments

Joy is a gift from God that is available to us every day, regardless of our circumstances. When love is present, it enhances and establishes the feeling of joy. This is because love is not just a feeling, but an action that involves selfless care and concern for others. When we choose to love and serve others, we experience joy that is not dependent on fleeting pleasures. As the Bible says, "This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). Joy is not just a feeling, but a choice that we make every day.

Finding Joy in Everyday Moments

To find joy in everyday moments when love is present, we need to look for it. We need to be willing to welcome joy rather than feel like we are betraying our depression by looking for it. Joy takes practice, and we can study joy in the Psalms to see how the Psalmists expressed joy in the midst of difficult circumstances. We also need to understand that joy is not just a feeling, but a choice that we make every day. When we choose to love and serve others, we experience joy that is not dependent on fleeting pleasures. As Randy Alcorn notes, "Children laugh an average of four hundred times daily, adults only fifteen." This highlights the difference between joy and pleasure, with joy being a deeper and more lasting experience.

The Real Object of Joy

The real object of joy is God, and He is what all earthly joys reflect. When we find joy in the Lord, we experience a deeper and more lasting joy that is not dependent on fleeting pleasures. Joy draws attention outward with a non-possessive appreciation for something that is good. This means that joy is not just about feeling happy, but about recognizing and appreciating the good things in life, including the people around us. As the Bible says, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). When we choose to love and serve others, we experience joy that is not dependent on fleeting pleasures, and we can know and experience the joy of the Lord in everyday moments.