Joy Inside by Guest John E. Dobbs

Thanks John!

Our first guest post is from John E. Dobbs, over at Hope Remain. He also published Forsythe Sermons, Forsythe Family News, and my favorite, The Holy Lens. Be sure to check out his book on Amazon called Jesus Likes You: Fifty Words For Stronger Faith, and all of his writings on Amazon. The prices are low and it is good to support fellow Christians. His other social links are Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

He describes himself as “a Jesus guy, entirely grace-dependent, very amateur photographer, and author.”

I have found John to be friendly and sincere. I appreciate his comments on my own posts. He is a brightness in my social media stream. When I thought of the idea to have guest writers, he was the first one I thought of and he graciously agreed.

We hope you enjoy his thoughts on joy, and make sure you go take a look around his Stack! (And thanks again John!)

JOY INSIDE

Joy is one of those words that expresses more what we know than what we feel—but is most often understood by virtue of feelings. That makes it a bit confusing to explain. It is one of those “If you know, you know” things.

My first understanding of Joy came through the teachings at Bible class when I was a kid. I was taught that true JOY stood for Jesus, Others, and Yourself last. At Vacation Bible School, we sang, “I’ve got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart…” I can still hear a room full of kids yelling ‘Where?’ at the top of our lungs, not really knowing that the God of the universe was already planting joy deep in our little hearts. Maybe that’s an appropriate question. Where is joy? Is it down in our heart? I think so.

As I’ve grown older, those simple songs have been tested by real life—losses, disappointments, and unanswered questions. That’s where the Bible’s picture of joy has become more precious to me. One of the most memorable Bible verses is found in the book of Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice, and again I say, Rejoice!” This is from Apostle Paul, who happens to be in prison as he writes the Philippian church. Although it is a mostly positive letter, he has just talked about two sisters in the church who were having a hard time getting along.

In John 15, Jesus warns His friends that some branches will be cut away and that the world will hate and mistreat them. Yet right in the middle of those hard words, He says, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

Jesus and Paul knew something about joy that eludes us most of the time. Joy is not just the experience of having no troubles or everything going our way. No, joy is something that exists deep down in our hearts.

• Real joy is knowing that, no matter what happens in this world, we belong to Jesus.

• Real joy is understanding that pain, grief, and sorrow do not destroy us because we are carried in the Gentle Shepherd’s arms.

• Real joy is found in faith that God is in control, we are safe in His love, and the promises of eternal life are ours.

• Real joy is the powerful force that allows us to hurt without giving up, cry without giving in, and experience the struggles of this life without losing faith.

• Real joy is what steadies us when the diagnosis comes, when the chair at the table is suddenly empty, when the future feels like fog.

Whenever you hear the word “Joy,” try to remember that it is not about being happy that everything is going your way. Joy can be experienced then, but it is also experienced when we have nothing left, and we turn to our God, who is present and who cares. In that realization, we experience joy. This allows us to worship from the shadows of His greatness. Psalm 65:8 says, “The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” If your heart feels empty today, you do not have to manufacture joy. You can simply bring your emptiness to Jesus and let Him fill it with Himself.

John Dobbs

Newsletter is Hope Remains