What makes for a joyful life? Most would say happiness is contingent on circumstances—wealth, health, relationships, achievements. But despite being one of the most prosperous nations, only 33% of Americans consider themselves happy, according to a TIME magazine poll. Why the joy deficit? How can the mystery of “Who Stole Your Joy” be solved? It will require that we find true, lasting joy comes not from external conditions but internal faith.
To solve the mystery of missing joy, we must first define it. Joy is not a feeling that fluctuates with our situations. It flows from a steadfast confidence in God’s purposes, promises, and presence. This biblically rooted joy can withstand life’s inevitable trials, pain, and heartaches. As John 16:20-22 explains “but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.”
It Wasn’t God
If our loving Father is the source of all joy, how could He steal it from us? Despite faithful saints like Moses, David, and Jeremiah sometimes crying out in agony, they clung to the hope that divine joy awaited on the other side of suffering. The prime example of this is found when Jesus cried, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” from the anguish of the cross while still anticipating the “joy that was set before him” on the other side of the resurrection (John 16:22, Hebrews 12:2).
It Wasn’t the Enemy
If it wasn’t God who robbed us of joy, perhaps it was the enemy. John 10:10 does say Satan prowls around seeking to steal and destroy. But 1 John 2:14 assures us as believers we’ve overcome him (the wicked one) through the power of Christ. Though we wage daily battles, the war has already been won.
It Wasn’t the World
If it wasn’t God or the enemy, maybe the corrupt world sapped our joy. This fallen realm indeed bombards us with problems and temptations that can overwhelm us. Yet Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). No matter how bleak circumstances appear, His triumph secures our enduring spiritual joy.
It Isn’t Other People
Having eliminated God, the enemy, and the world as suspects, who’s left? Could other people be joy thieves? We’re quick to point fingers— “If only my spouse, kids, and co-workers would change…” We tell ourselves the lie that “everyone else is the problem; why can’t they be more like me?” But as John 16:22 declares, no one can steal away the gift of joy Jesus gives. Even if everyone else abandoned us, we still have the most excellent Companion – Jesus Christ.
The Culprit is You
That leaves just one culprit: ourselves. We stole our joy when we stopped reminding ourselves of the gospel truths that saved us. When we no longer rest in God’s complete control, Christ’s finished victory, and the Spirit’s constant comfort, we abandoned the fountain of living water and dug our broken cisterns (Jeremiah 2:13).
So, how can we reclaim joy after we’ve thrown it away?
· First, pray persistently for fresh joy from the Source, asking in Jesus’ mighty name. He promises to grant us complete joy as we seek Him (John 16:23-24).
· Second, rest in the Holy Spirit’s presence when our strength and desire to pray falter. He works within us, transforming our wills to align with God’s (Philippians 2:13).
The testimony of Billy Bray reminds us that we can’t control our circumstances, but we can control how we respond to them. Billy Bray was a Cornish miner who accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior in 1823 at the age of 29. He lived a life of drunkenness and debauchery before his salvation, but he became such an outgoing witness and testimony for God that he became known as “God’s glad man.”
One time, he was digging potatoes from his garden and felt the devil oppressing him. It seemed to him that the devil said, “Billy Bray, God doesn’t love you. He wouldn’t give you such puny potatoes and so few if He did.”
But Billy Bray didn’t listen to the devil’s temptation; he talked back to him. He said, “I served you long and true, Devil and no better servant could a master ever have than I was to you. But when I served you, you didn’t give me any potatoes. When I served you, you didn’t give me anything good for my efforts.”
Billy Bray reminded himself that the burden he had serving Christ was lighter than the one he had serving the devil. The yoke he wore in partnership with and submission to Jesus was easier than the yoke he wore as one of the devil’s disciples.
Billy Bray once said, “I would rather be in Hell with Jesus than in Heaven without Jesus. Hell with Jesus would seem like Heaven to me, and Heaven without Jesus would seem just like Hell to me.” Despite trials, this same untouchable joy can be yours when you fix your eyes on the Anointed One.
Who stole your joy? You did – by building your satisfaction on fragile substitutes rather than the Solid Rock. But Jesus stands ready to restore your soul and lead you into joy-filled paths (Psalm 23:3). True joy is only found in Him – “ask and receive that your joy may be full (John 20:24).”
Josh Cehulik 