Galatians 5:22-23 gives us a list of the fruits of the spirit - and joy is listed there as one of the byproducts of the Holy Spirit living and abiding in us. What Does the Bible Teach Us about Joy?ġ. We don’t have to produce it or drum it up on our own. Joy is a choice! But it does come from the Lord - and He alone is the originator of true joy. James is telling his readers that they can choose to respond with joy, even during times of trials and sufferings. In other words, if we have put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our own personal savior ( Romans 10:9), and if we believe that His Word teaches us that God is at work in our lives ( Philippians 2:13), then we will come to the logical conclusion that trials, suffering, and difficult times in our lives are ultimately designed by God and that He has a specific purpose for us in mind. The process of learning to respond with joy during times of trials in life must begin with a conscious awareness that God is at work in our lives and that He has a tangible purpose for why we may be experiencing these trials. How is it possible to have joy when we experience life’s “various trials”? It’s probably true that most readers may hear that verse and respond by asking a salient follow-up question, “How can that possibly be true?” James’ teaching doesn’t quite make sense. ![]() In this very practical New Testament letter, James begins his important teaching about facing trials by writing this, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (NKJV). ![]() There is a familiar verse in James 1:2 that humanly doesn’t seem to make much sense. But what is joy? Do we have a definition for joy? And what in the world could James possibly have meant? After all, tribulations seem like anything but joyous occasions. James tells us to consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds.
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