A Reflection On Joy

When I want to experience deep satisfaction

Jesus’ intent is for every Christian to have joy. Why then do so many of us struggle to have it?

When Jesus speaks to His disciples about joy in John 15, He has just told them to remain in His love—through obedience (verses 9-10). And He goes on to tell them to love each other as He has loved them (verse 12). It isn’t a suggestion; it’s a command. The result will be joyful lives. It isn’t a difficult formula in principle—just in practice. When we do not have joy in our lives, it is because we have left something out of the formula. We have not remembered the wealth of Jesus’ love, or we have not loved others as extravagantly as He has loved us.

It seems as if it should be more difficult than this. We think that to have joy, something must happen to change our circumstances or heal our past wounds. All the while, Jesus asks us to look past the surface of our joylessness and major on love.

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

John 15:11