Biblical Definition of Joy

You have my definition of joy, but what about the biblical definition?

RIMI writes, "the biblical definition of joy says that joy is a feeling of good pleasure and happiness that is dependent on who Jesus is rather than on who we are or what is happening around us. Joy comes from the Holy Spirit, abiding in God’s presence and from hope in His word." It is something divine and beyond what we experience on a surface level around us.

RIMI continues to write, "biblical joy can be a confusing thing, especially since it’s something that doesn’t come just in the best of times. Because it is dependent on who Jesus is and God’s presence in us as the Holy Spirit, biblical joy is accessible to us even in the worst of times, and it can never be taken away from us."

I love this.

Joy can never be taken away from us. It is something that goes too deep and connects us to a place we couldn't try to reach on our own. It is a gift God offers to us every day. It is a gift that is always available and up to us to receive, even in the hardest of times.

I personally have been able to recognize this gift in my lowest (and highest) moments. When I have experienced moments that feel incredibly dark, God always provides a source of light through joy. A light that overcomes every corner of darkness. A light that always exists, we simply need to open our eyes to see it. Our eyes are dark and black until we decide to open them to the light that always exists.

"Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one is going to take your joy away from you." (John 16:22 NASB) No one. Not a single person or a single thing can steal your joy. The joy that God has personally and specifically designed only for you. The joy He designed so carefully that is always available and ready to be given to you. The joy that will surpass your deepest desires, or even deepest and darkest moments.

That. That is what I love about joy. It is something that God has crafted and designed specifically for you to have. Peace comes along with it and you cannot do anything but feel free and so intimately connected with God. It is always available, even when you feel like no good is left.

That is what I want to speak into. I desire and hope to bring you joy through what I have found, even in the hardest moments. When you think nothing good is left. I want to show you how even when all else fails, when you've searched everywhere but still feel empty... I want to show you what good exists. What divine good exists. What amazing good that has been designed exactly for your needs exists and is consistently available for you.

I want to also speak into those who think who have joy. Those who think they have the ultimate happiness and how to go deeper still. How to be even more abundantly filled.

It is simply up to you... are you ready for freedom? Are you ready for peace? Are you ready to have a new level of love and pure intimacy in your life? Are you ready to be fulfilled and then some?

Come embark on this life I call a beautiful journey to joy with me...