Day 3 — Joy

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

— Philippians 4:4 (BSB)

Imagine getting a letter from a friend, and it says, “Be joyful! Always! I’ll say it again: be joyful!” You might think your friend was having the best week ever. Maybe they’d just won a trip to an amusement park.

But when Paul wrote these words, he was in prison. He was chained up, waiting to find out whether he would be set free or put to death. And from that prison, he wrote one of the most joyful letters in the whole Bible.

How could Paul be joyful in a place like that?

It helps to know the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness usually depends on what’s happening. When things go well, you’re happy. When things go badly, you’re not. Happiness is like the weather: sunny one day, stormy the next.

Joy is deeper. Joy is a gladness that comes from knowing God, and it can stay even when things are hard. Notice what Paul said: “Rejoice in the Lord.” He didn’t say, “Rejoice in your circumstances.” He was joyful because of who God is and what Jesus had done for him, and none of that could be locked up in prison.

Think about what you have in Jesus. Your sins are forgiven. God is your Father. Jesus is with you always. Heaven is your forever home. Nobody can take those things away from you. Not a bad grade, not a mean kid, not a canceled birthday party.

This doesn’t mean Christians have to smile all the time or pretend they’re never sad. Jesus Himself cried. Joy and sadness can live in your heart at the same time. But underneath the sadness, like a river running under the ice, there can still be joy.

And joy is a fruit of the Spirit. That means it’s something God grows in you as you stay close to Him.

Think about it: What’s the difference between being happy and having joy? Can you think of a time you had joy even when things weren’t going well?

Try this: Make a list called “Things No One Can Take Away from Me.” Include things like “God loves me.” Read it the next time you have a bad day.

Dear God, thank You that my joy doesn’t have to depend on what’s happening around me. Thank You for everything I have in Jesus. Grow real joy in me, the kind that stays even on hard days. Help me rejoice in You always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.