The Joy of the Lord

Written by: First Lady Shanan C. Burress

Posted: July 20, 2025

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Are you happy or do you have joy? Have you ever thought about the difference?

For several months throughout any given year, I experience times where I lack happiness. That’s for another blog for another time, but in thinking about happiness and joy, I remembered hearing someone once say that happiness is due to something “happening” whereas joy is from within. I’ve found that to be true. We often put emphasis on happiness and feeling happy when something good has “happened” but what about those times in which nothing good has happened?

Joy, on the other hand is from the Lord. In the presence of the Lord, there is fullness of joy (Psalms 16:11). So without anything (good or bad) happening, if we are in the presence of God, we should have an overflowing of joy.

Joy is also described as one of the Fruits of the Spirit –

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

We have to learn to be content in whatever state we are in.

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬

Whether good things are happening, I’m content. Whether bad (or unexplainable) things happen, I am content. Contentment can lead us to trust God at a higher level. Trusting God leads us into the presence of God and in His presence is fullness of joy. The joy of the Lord is our strength. And with the strength of God, we can do anything. If we can do anything, we can also walk with love, joy and peace knowing that God is with us and in control.

Our joy doesn’t come from things happening, but it comes from trusting God. And our contentment comes from having the confidence that God is in control and whether I have a lot or barely enough, God is with me and therefore I’m good.

I’m praying that each of you reading this blog will call out to God for joy and that regardless of what’s “happening” to or around you, the joy of the Lord will be your strength!