Joy In My Soul

The hope of the righteous is joy.

As a brand-new Christian in college, I was a member of an a cappella group. One of my favorite songs was a southern gospel–style quartet called “Feeling Mighty Fine.” The opening lyrics, toe-tappingly upbeat, are “I woke up this morning feeling fine. I woke up with heaven on my mind. I woke up with joy in my soul, ’cause I knew my Lord had control.”

Though I loved that song, for most of my life I struggled with the joy concept. After becoming a Christian, I thought maybe something was wrong with my faith. I thought I was supposed to be so visibly joyful that non-Christians couldn’t help but notice and ask the reason for my joy. Then I would share Jesus on the spot, bringing another precious lamb into the fold.

After walking many years with Jesus, I still love that song, and I have learned two things about joy. One, it isn’t something I can force. As a fruit of the Spirit, it is a natural result of remaining connected to the Vine. And two, joy is more about where I put my hope than about feelings. Just as the song says, when I remember and meditate on what I have to look forward to after this life—God restoring me and all of creation to perfection, no more tears, and no death to fear—that’s joy.

You are not letting Jesus down if you’re not the type of Christian who always has a smile on her face and a bounce in her step. Joy is about living in the truth that “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18, HCSB). Believers can be joyful even through difficult seasons. We can have hopeful anticipation in the future because of the righteous standing God has given us, and He is faithful to His promises.

Rest Assured

Lord, help me to remember the imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading inheritance I have in Christ, and let that hope fill me with Your joy.

Rest in Him: Galatians 5:16-25