How to abide in joy 

We mainly rejoice when something great happens. When we receive a gift, a long-awaited vacation is coming up, our child passes the exam, a promotion at work, or whatever. Usually, an external event causes us to feel joy. No matter how beautiful these experiences are, the good feelings soon pass. However, there is a joy that never ceases because it is tied to something that always endures.

In the New Testament, Paul repeatedly urges the believers to rejoice. It seems that joy is an important part of a Christian’s life. But what does this joy consist of? What are we to rejoice about and what about this joy in the face of problems and difficulties? In this blog post, I discuss various biblical reasons why we should rejoice and how our joy can persist even in difficult situations.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we are told to rejoice “in the Lord”. God is unchanging, which is why joy in Him can last forever. It doesn’t change because it is built on a firm foundation. Joy is available to you right now by realizing what you’ve already got in God. 

1.Rejoice in what Christ has done for us. 

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

We can rejoice in the fact that we have been declared righteous through faith in Christ. We do not have to obey every letter of the law to stand right before God but have received it through faith in Christ. We have peace with God; nothing stands between us and Him anymore because Jesus died for us and rose again. And eternity will be even better because we will be fully embraced by God’s perfect love. 

2.Rejoice in the fact that we can have a relationship with God.

More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:11

We have a personal relationship with God. Through the Holy Spirit living in us, we can abide in a personal relationship with God. We are never alone, but experience the support and comfort of the Holy Spirit in all circumstances. At any time and in any situation, we can pray to Him.

Before Christ came, the people of God went to the temple in Jerusalem to encounter Him. Now, encounters with God take place where you are right now because you are the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16). Everywhere you go, God comes with you. Anything that gets in your way, you can overcome because God lives on the inside of you and helps you. Even worries and problems are a reason for joy: 

3.Rejoice in difficulties.

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, Romans 5:3

We can learn something from every difficult situation. Specifically, it teaches us to become more patient.

and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, Romans 5:4 

Who doesn’t want to be mentally strong? We can rejoice amidst our problems because it only makes us stronger and thus more confident about eternity. When we have internalized that we can only win from troubles, we have more joy and we are filled with confidence. 

4.Rejoice in answered prayers.

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John16:24

Regularly recalling answered prayers is a great source of joy. I recommend writing down answered prayers so that they are not forgotten and can be repeatedly reflected upon. Joy comes when we realize how much favor we’ve already received from God.

In our lives as Christians, we can only win. Yes, even victory is assured to us. Through Christ, we have victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:57). Paul says that despite all persecution and difficulties, we will have an overwhelming victory through Christ (Romans 8:37). And this is another reason to rejoice:

5.Rejoice in victory and in thinking about eternity. 

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

Whatever happens, we can look to the future with confidence because God is for us.

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4 

We can rejoice in the hope of a glorious future.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

In our walk with God, many things we desire are already available to us, such as love, acceptance, hope, joy, rest, peace, and so on. But we find it difficult to access these because our minds are full of worries and burdens in our daily lives. However, we can experience joy by pondering and internalizing the truths listed above. 

The more we become aware of all that belongs to us in Christ, the more joy we will experience. And as we remain connected to Christ, like branches to the vine (John 15), keeping his words in our hearts and living by his power, he will complete our joy:

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11

Read more blog posts:

Love is our destiny

Being happy as a Christian

About waiting and being content

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