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Applying the Character Quality of Joyfulness

Joyfulness vs. Self-Pity

3 min

Joyfulness is the bright spirit and radiant countenance that come by being in full fellowship with the Lord.

A primary Hebrew word for joy is simchah. It means “to brighten up, to rejoice, to be or make glad.” Related Biblical words are rejoice (Philippians 4:4), exceeding glad (Matthew 5:12), delight (Psalm 37:4), and blessed (Psalm 1:1).

The Rewards of Joy

There are physical, psychological, and spiritual rewards of joy, both in the life of the one who is joyful and in the lives of those who are around a joyful person, as joy tends to be contagious. Joy stimulates the release of a variety of hormones that strengthen and benefit the body. Thus . . .

  • Joy is our strength(Nehemiah 8:10).
  • Joy is our health(Proverbs 17:22).
  • Joy is our brightness(Proverbs 15:13).

What Produces Joy?

Our Eternal Salvation

Our greatest source of joy is eternal salvation. Jesus emphasized this point to His disciples when He said, “Rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20)

A Good Conscience

Because joy comes from fellowship with the Lord, anything hindering that fellowship will diminish our joy. Unconfessed sin and iniquity will damage that fellowship, but “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I John 1:7).

Because joy comes from fellowship with the Lord, anything hindering that fellowship will diminish our joy.

The Statutes of God’s Word

A statute is a practical application of the Law of God. It has the ring of truth and thus causes our hearts to rejoice: “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart” (Psalm 19:8).

The Commands of the Lord

The whole Law is fulfilled in the commandment to love God and love one another. Jesus said that it is by keeping this commandment that we experience His joy in our lives. (See John 15:11–12.)

The Personal Application of Scripture

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for personal application. The Holy Spirit will guide each believer to passages that can be applied to life situation. As these scriptures are engrafted into our souls and made a living part of our lives, they produce special joy. (See Jeremiah 15:16.)

The Giving of a Wise Answer

When we give wise and helpful answers, we have joy. “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” (Proverbs 15:23).

The Tests of Persecution

The very trials that most people fear and react to are designed by God to be sources of joy. “Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2–3).

The Spiritual Growth of Our Disciples

Our goal in life should be to bring as many people as we can to the Lord Jesus Christ and to help them grow spiritually. While this requires much effort, the reward is great joy. John stated, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (III John 4).

The Power of the Holy Spirit

When we respond to trials and persecutions by thanking God and rejoicing, He will reward us with the power of the Holy Spirit. “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you…” (I Peter 4:14).

The Confidence of a Job Well Done

The ultimate joy for every believer is to meet the Lord at the end of his life and to hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21).

Personal Evaluation:

  • Do people see a bright countenance when they look at you?
  • Do you cry out to God whenever you are faced with a difficult situation?
  • Do you enjoy times of rich, wholehearted fellowship with the Lord?
  • Do you memorize the promises God gives you from Scripture?
  • Do you thank God for every trial you experience?
  • Are you discipling others in their spiritual growth?
  • Do you put your whole heart and mind into the jobs you are given?
Explore more about this topic in The Power for True Success

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