The Fruit of the Spirit: Joy – Choosing Joy in Every Season
- Claimed By Him
- Mar 25
- 2 min read
For a long time, I thought joy was just another word for happiness. I thought it depended on how good life was—on things going my way, on dreams coming true. But I’ve learned something that changed my entire perspective:
Happiness is based on circumstances. Joy is based on Christ.
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." – Romans 15:13 (KJV)
Joy isn’t something that comes and goes with the highs and lows of life. It’s an unshakable confidence in God’s goodness, no matter what’s happening around me.
What Steals Our Joy?
I used to let worry, stress, and comparison rob me of my joy. I’d catch myself thinking:
If only things were different, I’d be happy.
Why does their life seem easier than mine?
God, when will it be my turn?
I had joy only when life was good. But when challenges came, I lost it. That’s when I realized—I wasn’t walking in the true joy of the Lord.
Learning to Choose Joy
One day, God spoke to my heart: Lisa, joy isn’t about what’s happening around you—it’s about who I am.
That hit me hard. I was allowing my circumstances to dictate my level of joy instead of rooting it in Christ.
So, I made some changes:
I Stopped Letting My Emotions Lead Me – Instead of being ruled by feelings, I started standing on God’s truth. (Philippians 4:8)
I Practiced Gratitude Daily – Even in the hard seasons, I looked for reasons to be thankful. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
I Chose to Trust God’s Plan – Instead of focusing on what I didn’t have, I started trusting that God was working behind the scenes. (Romans 8:28)
Are You Walking in Joy?
Do your circumstances determine your joy?
What’s stealing your joy right now?
How can you shift your focus to Christ instead of your situation?
I don’t have it all figured out, but I do know this: Joy isn’t found in perfect circumstances—it’s found in knowing and trusting God.
📖 Want to experience unshakable joy? In Quieting the Noise: From My Head to My Heart, I share how I learned to let go of stress and step into the true joy of the Lord.
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