The human joy to materialize depends on what? And the joy that God gives us, how it comes and what it is? Can joy be pernicious? As Christians, our joy should manifest what? What attitudes show that we are happy in God? What does God offer to those who exercise the joy He gives?
Human joy is fragile, it depends on our personal desires:
Human joy depends on our well-being to materialize. Example: you are happy to realize your desire to go to a beach of your dreams; But if, there, you find heavy rain and cold you stay sad! Human joy is unstable and fragile.
The joy that God gives is pure, because it is the personality of Jesus acting in us. Human joy can be pernicious:
Spiritual joy does not depend on our well-being, but on how "we surrender" to God's work in our lives. (...) the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and self-control. The set of these characteristics represents the personality of Jesus, which is the opposite of the disorganization and instability of our human desires. See what Pablo says,
'19 The works of the flesh are good: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hate, discord, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies and similar things. I warn you, as I already warned you, that those who practice these things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. (Gl.5: 19-21 NTLH)
When Paul asked the Philippians to have joy in the Lord, he did not ask for an irresponsible enthusiasm, but something serious that manifested the power of the Kingdom of God. (...) the Kingdom of God is not a question of food or drink (in religious rituals), but of living correctly, in peace and with the joy that the Holy Spirit gives.
The joy that God gives us produces at least four behavioral attitudes that please him and that manifest his Kingdom:
Imagine a group of people who wish to practice this kind of joy! What changes could occur in their own lives and in the environments where they live? They would not be victims of depression and despair, because they would be producing another type of fruit that manifests the power of God's presence.
We know that true joy does not come by possessing and achieving something material or emotional, but by committing oneself and obeying God. This is Paul's idea when he says: "Always have joy, united with the Lord!" To unite with the Lord is to accept his personality instead of ours. It is to accept your plans and will in place of ours.
What does God offer to those who rejoice in him?
Jesus spoke about happy people: 5 Happy are the people who know that they are spiritually poor, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them. 6Friend the people who mourn, for God will comfort them. Happy the humble people (who surrender only to Him), because they will receive what God has promised.
Jesus is saying: The first time you seek the Kingdom of God by trusting entirely in Him, be happy! When you help people with the help you have received from God, you will be happy! When you surrender to God you will be happy and will experience your promises.
We can see the power of the joy that God gives us in the life of Paul, who even being imprisoned in Rome, is able to encourage the Christians of Philippi to seek that kind of joy in union with Christ.
I do not know your situation at this moment, but instead of becoming a victim of affliction and discouragement, seek the joy that God gives. Find a truer relationship with Jesus Christ, for it is from that relationship that your life can change.
