Charles Spurgeon, the “Prince of Preachers,” once told his seminary students, “When you speak of heaven, let your face light up with a heavenly gleam. Let your eyes shine with reflected glory. And when you speak of hell—well, then your usual face will do.”
It’s a witty jab, but it cuts deep. Far too often, Christians walk around with expressions more suited to a funeral than a celebration. True, Spirit-filled, soul-deep joy seems oddly absent from many believers’ lives. Why is that?
Life has a way of draining us. Between the pressure of deadlines, family tensions, financial stress, chronic worries, busyness, and spiritual burnout, joy can feel like a distant memory or an unreachable ideal. But here’s the truth: joy isn’t meant to be a rare spark in a weary soul. It’s supposed to be the mark of a life walking with God. Let’s look at the Word to learn how to tap into this powerful fruit of the Spirit.
The Bible doesn’t treat joy as a fleeting pleasure—it calls it a pathway and a promise.
Paul echoes this joy even from a jail cell as he addresses the Philippian church with the command: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4 ESV). From Paul’s focus on joy amid trials, we know that joy is a force that endures no matter the difficulty or circumstance.
Jesus also reiterates the need for his joy to manifest in our lives.
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11 NIV).
After the resurrection, He breathed on his disciples and gave them the Holy Spirit, ensuring their joy could never be taken away again (John 20:20-22). Joy isn’t peripheral—it’s central.
So, if joy is meant to be such a defining trait of Christian life, why do so many believers seem to be missing it? It’s not that we lack reasons to be joyful. Often, simple steps to cultivate joy are missing from our daily routine. These steps would begin to develop a spirit of joy and let it take root in our lives.
The first step is acknowledging the source of our joy. Jesus said, “that my joy may be in you.” This isn’t an emotion we produce but a spiritual fruit that the Holy Spirit nurtures within us. In Romans 14:17, Paul tells us, “The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (NIV). Since joy in the Holy Spirit is a pivotal part of God’s kingdom, let’s discover five ways we can abound in the joy of the Lord!
Jesus says, “Abide in my love… that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:9-11 ESV).
These verses come from Jesus’s final words to his disciples the night before his crucifixion, a moment full of weight and tenderness. In just three short verses, He urges them three times to “abide in his love.” That repetition isn’t accidental—it drives home how essential it is to stay rooted in Christ.
Jesus isn’t just giving a command; He’s offering an invitation. He wants his followers to experience a deep, lasting joy—the kind the world can’t imitate or understand. And the key to that kind of joy? It’s found only in one place: abiding in his love through obedience and relationship.
🎯Faith in Action: Reflect on how much time you spend on your relationship with Jesus. Are you prioritizing time to “abide” in him through prayer, worship, and reading the Word? If not, find a time and place to spend with the Lord daily. If you already have regular quiet times, how can you continue to abide with Christ throughout the day?
“The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart” (Psalm 19:8 NIV; see also Jeremiah 15:16).
“Precepts” are more than just rules; they’re God’s wise and trustworthy guidance on how life is meant to be lived. When the Bible says they are “right,” it means they’re not random or harsh, but perfectly aligned with God’s goodness, justice, and wisdom. They show us what’s truly right, not just in theory but in real life.
And here’s the beauty: when we follow and reflect on these precepts, they don’t just shape our actions—they fill our hearts with joy. Not the kind of fleeting happiness that depends on circumstances, but a deep, abounding joy that comes from living in step with the One who made us.
🎯Faith in Action: Read Psalm 119. It focuses on the joy and strength one receives by meditating on God’s Word. Make a list of “precepts” that give you joy in the Lord. Meditate on God’s goodness in giving us the Word.
“Rejoice always… give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV).
These three short verses offer clear and powerful guidance for everyday Christian living. They come from Paul’s closing words to the Thessalonian church and are anything but casual advice.
When Paul says, “Rejoice always,” he’s giving a command, not a suggestion. He’s calling us to root our joy not in our circumstances, but in Christ himself—in his salvation, presence, and unchanging promises. That kind of joy can endure even in pain.
Paul also points us toward gratitude, which has a way of resetting our hearts. When we choose thankfulness, we remember God’s goodness, which guards us from sinking into complaining, bitterness, or despair. As our hearts realign with his, the fruit of his Spirit grows in our lives—including real, lasting joy.
🎯Faith in Action: What is one circumstance you are facing that is challenging, frustrating, or difficult to handle? Take a minute to thank God that He is with you amid this trial or situation. Ask for his peace/clarity/grace/wisdom to see it through. What Scripture truth can you pray over this situation?
“The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing…” (Romans 8:18 ESV).
Focusing on eternity helps Christians hold on to joy by lifting their eyes above the noise of the moment and setting them on something far greater and lasting. It’s a shift in perspective from the temporary struggles of today to the unshakeable hope of what’s to come.
Let’s be honest, earthly joys are fragile. Jobs can vanish. Health can fade. People, even those we love, can let us down. But the promises of God? They never fail. Eternal life, the unfailing love of God, and our secure inheritance in Christ are untouchable.
When we keep our hearts anchored in these eternal truths, our joy doesn’t rise and fall with our circumstances; it stays steady, strong, and rooted in something this world can’t give and can never take away.
🎯Faith in Action: Ask God to help you cultivate an eternal perspective and a lasting joy from delighting in him.
🎯Go Deeper: Write your own psalm of praise, worship, or gratitude to the Lord. Here’s an article detailing how to write your own psalm.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15 ESV).
Joy is contagious! It multiplies when shared. In the church community, joy doesn’t just stay with one person; it ripples outward, deepening as we celebrate together. Whether it’s an answered prayer, a baptism, a breakthrough, or a blessing, these moments become even more powerful when experienced in the company of fellow believers.
And it’s not just the big celebrations. Through simple acts of teaching, hospitality, mercy, friendship, or a well-timed word of encouragement, the body of Christ becomes a joy-filled support system, a place where hearts are lifted and spirits refreshed. Joy’s fullest expression is realized in the community and fellowship of believers.
| Benefits of Community | How It Fuels Joy |
| Encouragement | Encouragement from others helps reignite hope and joy when our faith feels weak. |
| Shared burdens | Having others to pray with, listen to, and support helps lighten the emotional and spiritual load, allowing joy to take root. |
| Celebrated blessings | Magnifies gratitude and gladness. |
| Spiritual gifts | God gives different gifts to each believer to strengthen and build up others. |
| Accountability | Protects our walk with God. Sin can drain our joy, whether it is hidden or uncovered. Confessing sins to one another is healing and powerful. |
| Unity | Reflects God’s heart and creates a joyful witness to the world and a foretaste of heaven. |
🎯Faith in Action: This week, intentionally choose to set aside time to serve the body of Christ with joy in some way. It could be scheduling a lunch with a brother or sister in the Lord, sending an encouraging card, or offering to pray for a friend in need. Whatever it looks like, ask the Lord for opportunities to bless others.
Check out our Fruits of Faith Blog for more faith-filled, Scripture-based content on developing spiritual fruit that transforms your life!
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