What is the key to experiencing joy in the Christian life?

from the old testament

• When it comes to experiencing joy, perspective is key. When we look at what God has done for us, our response should be thanksgiving and joy. David poured out his complaints to God, not denying the hardships of life such as his depression, his hurt, or his disappointment, yet by the end of his psalms, he generally seems encouraged (Psalm 3; 6; 7; 13; 16; 18).
• We can glean joy from relying on other believers. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

from the new testament

• When we voice our concerns and allow ourselves to be reminded of the goodness of God, we release our burdens. Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). We can experience joy when we give our burdens to Jesus.
• We were created for community, as can be seen by God's creation of Eve to be a helper for Adam and in Paul's description of the church as a body of believers (Romans 12:3-13). Believers can share both their hurtful and happy moments with each other (Romans 12:15).
• Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) but can often seem elusive for Christians. The Greek word for "joy" is related to the Greek word for "grace." Joy is a grace bestowed on us by God.
• Paul was no stranger to hardships, yet he was prolific on the topic of joy, particularly in his epistle to the Philippians: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7). We can give our burdens to God through prayer and do so with thanksgiving.
• After we have given our requests to God, we keep a proper perspective. We think of things that are pure, full of splendor, excellent, right, and praiseworthy. In Philippians 4:8 Paul says: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” We should not dwell on our heartache but on the goodness of God and the beauty He infuses into our lives.
• James even tells us to “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds…” (James 1:1) It’s not that our trials are joyful, but that these trials produce patience and endurance in our lives.

implications for today

Ultimately, these practical tips for experiencing joy are just a small part of living a joyful life. Jesus describes what it means to abide in Him in John 15:1-11, linking it with remembering His words, living in His love, depending on Him, and obeying His commands. He then says, "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full" (John 15:11). We experience joy in our Christian lives by giving our lives completely over to Jesus, accepting His gift of grace. When we truly abide in Him, we will know the fullness of His joy.

Joy in the Christian life transforms how we experience everything—from our relationships to our hardships. When the joy of the Lord fills our hearts, it gives us a resilient strength that enables us to keep moving forward, even when life feels overwhelming. As Nehemiah declared, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10), meaning joy doesn’t just make us feel good—it empowers us to stand firm in faith. This inner strength keeps us steady in trials, reminds us of our eternal hope, and helps us respond with grace instead of fear.

Joy also changes how we relate to others. A joyful heart is contagious—it lifts the spirits of those around us and creates an atmosphere of peace, encouragement, and love. Joy-filled believers are better equipped to forgive, serve, and build unity within the body of Christ. Rather than being weighed down by bitterness or anxiety, they bring light into their communities. This kind of joy doesn’t depend on everything going right; it comes from knowing we are deeply loved by God and securely held in His hands.

Living with joy also shapes our witness to the world. In a culture marked by worry, despair, and discontentment, a joyful life stands out. It shows others that the gospel is not just a message to be believed, but a reality that transforms. Our joy points people to Christ—it reflects His presence in us and invites others to discover the source of that joy for themselves. When we live joyfully, we don’t just survive—we radiate the beauty and fullness of life that God intended.