The Spiritual Science of Joy
🌿 What Is Biblical Joy? How Does it Work?
It seems that joy is something that people tell you to do.
“Just have joy!” they tell us.
“You don’t want happiness, you want joy because happiness doesn’t last but joy does.”
Have you ever remembered a time where you woke up and had the emotion or feeling of joy? Probably not.
Peace? Sure. Calm? Sure. Happiness? Sure. Choosing to not have a bad attitude when things are going wrong? Sure. But that’s not joy.
But joy- that can sometimes feel unattainable or out of reach or maybe indescribable.
Many people may communicate in the Body of Christ that joy is a choice, that it is something you can muster up. Here’s the deal- do you know of any other fruit of the Spirit that we can just choose to feel or muster up? Is that how fruit is grown?
The answer is no!
Biblical joy is not a fleeting emotion or mere happiness.
Scripture describes it as:
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” — Nehemiah 8:10
That means joy is a supernatural strength that flows from God’s presence and His promises, not from what’s happening around us.
Joy is something that is PLANTED then GROWN then SHOWS UP when times get difficult. Choosing joy is abstract and unclear because technically, you are signing up for a lot more then just an attitude change when choosing joy.
You are signing up for three daily choices.
💧 How Joy Happens (Practically and Spiritually)
Here’s how biblical joy takes root and grows in real life:
1. It starts in relationship, not results.
“In Your presence there is fullness of joy.” — Psalm 16:11
Joy doesn’t begin when everything goes right — it begins when you remember Who is with you.
When you pause, breathe, and reconnect with God’s nearness, His Spirit starts to fill the empty or anxious spaces inside you with peace and gratitude.
Practice:
When you feel drained or discouraged, whisper:
“Lord, You are here. You haven’t left me.”
That single awareness invites His joy.
2. It’s fueled by trust, not control.
“Though the fig tree does not blossom… yet I will rejoice in the Lord.” — Habakkuk 3:17–18
Joy is often born when you release your grip on outcomes.
When you choose to trust that God is still good — even in uncertainty — you open your heart for His Spirit to renew your strength.
Practice:
Pray:
“God, I trust You more than what I see.”
Then breathe deeply, and let go of what you can’t fix.
3. It grows through gratitude.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances…” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Gratitude is the soil where joy thrives.
When you train your heart to notice what God is doing (even small things), joy begins to multiply.
Practice:
Each morning, list three things you’re thankful for — especially things that show God’s care, not just comfort. (Example: “God gave me breath,” “I saw His beauty in the sunrise,” “He gave me strength to get up.”)
4. It’s strengthened by hope.
“We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” — Romans 5:2
Hope is what joy feeds on. When your hope is set on Christ — not temporary outcomes — joy becomes anchored, not fragile.
Practice:
When you face loss or uncertainty, remind yourself:
“This story isn’t over — and God is still writing it.”
5. It’s a fruit, not a feeling.
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” — Galatians 5:22
You don’t “force” biblical joy. You cultivate it by staying close to the Spirit — prayer, worship, scripture, community.
It grows quietly, like fruit on a tree rooted in good soil.
Practice:
1. Connect with God during your day- acknowledge He is with you and is for you and your welfare.
2. Release control to Him and become completely available to whatever He wants to do
3. Thank God for everything- even the hard stuff- He will use it ALL for our good!
