The Fruit of the Spirit: Choose Joy

by David Chadwick

Joy is a choice. As our church’s worship leader says in one of the songs he has written, “I will choose joy!” This one doesn’t always come naturally. Without Jesus, it can feel impossible to walk in joy in the midst of this broken world.

Remember, where one fruit is present, all nine are present. They are interdependent. But I do love the order because love and joy walk hand in hand. Joy proves that our affections are rightly aligned with God’s will. Joy flows out of a heart that loves him.

When you are so intimate with the Father in heaven and his Son, Jesus, the Spirit gives our natural affection the joy of an intimate friendship forever.

Joy is not happiness. Happiness depends upon circumstances being good. Joy, on the other hand, has nothing to do with circumstances. It only looks at the Beloved, the one who has given us life.

That inward joy transcends all that’s going on around us. And simply rejoices that his plans and purposes are being carried out in our lives no matter what.

The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Our joy is made complete by resting in the one whose joy was made complete in obedience to the Father in heaven (John 15:11).

How do you choose joy? By simply focusing on the One in whom you are abiding, resting, and remaining forever. Making sure your connection with Jesus is always secure.

The Spirit produces this joy. You simply choose to abide. And then pray for more joy from the Spirit in whom we abide.