Curtis Klingle

Joy

Throughout my life I have encountered happy people, not just happy, but those that possessed something more than just happiness. I found that the something I was sensing, was in fact joy. The more I was exposed to it the more a longing desire for it grew. I quite simply coveted what they had. Thus, about two months ago, I began an earnest pursuit of that elusive thing called joy.

What I discovered is that joy is intrinsically linked to gratefulness. You cannot have joy without being grateful, in fact, gratefulness is the key which unlocks joy. You will never acquire it without gratefulness. From that initial discovery, a mere eight weeks ago, I have encountered the word “grateful” countless times. I saw the word on a plaque in a shop, read it in more than one book, seen it in YouTube videos, and it has been spoken to me over and over again. It soon seemed like it was hiding behind every corner, waiting to pounce yet again. God, in His infinite wisdom knows how dense I can be; thus, He bombards me with a lesson until I have that moment of recognition.

As I continued to explore my subject matter, I found that joy isn’t really what we think it is. Contrary to the way most dictionaries define joy, it is not happiness. Joy is not an emotion; it is a state. However, like love, emotions can and often do accompany joy. There are two modes by which joy is accessed. In the first, like love, agape love, it is a choice, an act of the will, and this is where gratefulness comes in. We choose to be grateful and joy follows. The second is exceedingly rare. It is found in those moments of euphoria and awe that we experience a glimpse into the heart of God.

The more I probed this subject the more I found just how intertwined joy, love, and gratefulness are. You cannot possess one of the three without experiencing the others. And if you are lacking in any of them, the others will be impaired as well.

All people, no matter their faith or lack thereof, can have joy. But for the Christian, we are told joy is but one of the many attributes we are clothed in through a life with Jesus. Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Note, the word “fruit” is singular. If we are submitted to God, all of the fruit will be evident. It isn’t our fruit, but His. When we are yielded to His will, the fruit is evident. When we omit one, like a house of cards the whole thing tumbles down.

In order to have and maintain a state of joy, gratefulness is the precursor. Gratefulness is an attitude of thanks. It is gratitude and appreciation for some kindness we have received. We can be grateful for a myriad of gifts every day. The life we have been given, our loved ones, friends, our faith, the list is endless. We can even be grateful for the hardships we have endured. Gratefulness, like love and joy, is also a state.

Most human beings (me included) have a propensity towards negativity. We receive a near constant onslaught of negative thoughts thus inhibiting our ability to be grateful. But keep in mind, these are mere thoughts and with those thoughts the accompanying feelings can have no more power than what we give them. Extinguish those thoughts, “take them captive,” and those feelings dissipate along with them. Actually, that is the beginning of transformation into a state of joy. That is something to be grateful for.

I have only experienced the second type of joy a few times in this life. However, I am coming to believe that the more we implement the joyful state through gratefulness, we can and will experience more of the second mode. I hope for that very thing.

I recall one morning on a beach many years ago. I had risen very early so I could watch the sunrise over the waters. I went to a secluded area where there was not another soul in sight. As I sat in the dark watching the stars, feeling the ocean breeze on my face, the taste of salt in the air, listening to the sound of the crashing waves, I suddenly had a blanket of peace sweep over me. I sat there, basking in what I can only describe as God’s goodness as the first hints of light formed in the eastern skyline. That was when joy found me. I was endued with a sense of reassurance. I was loved beyond measure, and all was as it should be. I had encountered the Numinous.

A second encounter with joy happened recently when I was reunited with a granddaughter I had not seen for several years. There had not been a day go by when I had not thought about that child. As it neared time for us to meet, my mind whirled with anticipation, and I wondered, “Would she even remember me?” When I arrived and first saw her, joy swept through me. This time joy flowed over me and held me in its warm embrace. Elation best describes it. As I reflect on that, I suspect God Himself feels that way when one of us returns to Him.

I challenge you (and I) to put on an attitude of gratefulness. With that gratefulness, the state of joy will come. It may not happen immediately, but it will occur much quicker than you might think.

As for the second mode of joy, we may reflect on the past encounters, but we will find that it is no longer there. We can feel happiness in the memory, but not the joy we experienced in that moment. These are windows into God’s heart, they are gifts from Him. They are just reminders that He is there and we should cherish every one of them. We must bear in mind; we are not meant to stay in them. We have to return to the valley and continue our journey. We can only wait for our next meeting with joy. Even as I pen these words I long for my next encounter with Him.

Something to ponder: scripture tells us we are to experience joy in heaven. I wonder if we will be the recipients of a consistent bathing in joy, to be immersed in it, to abide in it? Imagine what that would be like.

C. Klingle