“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Neh. 8:10 NIV)

Joy isn’t just an artificial experience. It is where we, when grounded in the Lord, find our strength.

I admit that these past few months that I have focused more on my fears, failures, and what is lacking in my life rather than seeking to find joy in life.

The Bible has a lot to say on the subject of joy and so I have been daily writing out verses that would help me stay focused.

I pray that these verses will convict, change, inspire, and convince you of the reasons we can find joy in life!

Biblical Joy

Biblical joy isn’t easily defined as it is a supernatural work. It is a fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22) It is not dependant on us but on the character and nature of the Lord. (Ps. 16:11) Finally, joy is not found in present circumstances but hope in what’s coming. (Heb. 12:2)

Many words are used in both the Old and New Testaments for joy. But, essentially the meaning is the same, it is a choice to live in trust, hope, and peace because we know God is in control and working all things out for good.

Since God is the source of joy, only through close communion with Him can we find the true joy we are seeking in this life.

That’s why His word is so important for us to dwell on when we feel our joy is diminishing.

Things that Steal Our Joy

When we are kids, we sing songs like “The Joy of the Lord is My Strength” and “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy”. We have such a childlike innocence that seems to believe that joy is attainable and found in little things everyday.

As we age, we become more cynical, suspicious, and even hardened. We tend to think that those thoughts from childhood were naive dreams. But as we will see, the Bible says different.

So, what kinds of things do we let in to steal our joy?

There are actually a lot of things that steal our joy but I think we can narrow them down to categories: 1. Fear. 2. Pride. 3. Hardships. 4. Failures.

• Fear of the future. Fear of man. Fear leads to worry, anxiety, and depression. It seeps in slowly and before you know it, it has taken over and our faith is so diminished that joy seems elusive.

• Pride is destructive. It says we have to be in control at all times. That we have to be right. And, that we deserve a certain treatment. When we focus on ourselves, its tough to be focused on Jesus and all He says will bring us joy.

• Hardships are a certainty in this sinful world. If we choose to let them, our suffering can overshadow the promises of God and cause us to fall deep into darkness and self-pity.

• Finally, failures are part of the human existence. At some point in time, we will make a mistake and let others down. We will not feel good enough. This is when we must be reminded about what the word of God says about us.

The apostle Paul says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18 NIV)

15 Bible Verses to Find Joy in Life

In light of all of those joy stealers, I am so glad that the Lord put so many reminders in His word of how and why we can have joy as His children.

I pray today that you delight in the Lord and His goodness and you read through these. Let these promises bring you hope, peace, and restored joy!

All scripture is from the NIV Bible.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. Psalm 19:8

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:19

May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord. Psalm 104:34

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

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

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

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  James 1:2-3

But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:14

A Prayer for a Joy-Filled Life

Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. Psalm 86:4

Lord, I want to experience the fullness of you joy! Help me to focus on Jesus and not myself or the things I think aren’t going right.

God, forgive me for letting my joy be temporal and for choosing fear, pride, and focus on hardships and failures. Restore me to the joy of my salvation.

Jesus, you chose joy and I think you for that! I praise you as the source of finding joy in life. Show me how to choose joy in all things and at all times.

Finally, God, I want the world around me to see my joy. I want them to know that I have hope, peace, and contentment in You even in the midst of trials or uncertainty. Let them see the joy of Jesus in me. Amen.

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