UNEARTHLY THINGâ—½ ENCOURAGEMENT
Joy: What Is It Exactly?
by Angela Dolbear
I’ve encountered the term “Joy” several times lately, and it’s not even Christmas time, so it made me wonder, what is joy exactly?
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SO many “joy” references…Joy to the World, joy comes in the morning, the Joy of the Lord, “sparking joy,” and Joy, even as a girl’s name.
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Joy is everywhere: on cute signs to hang on the wall, on jewelry, and coffee mugs. Especially at Christmas time. You can purchase a four-foot-high light-up sign to put on your lawn that simply says “JOY.”
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And if you didn’t get joy the first time, you can always “rejoice!”
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Webster’s Dictionary defines joy as the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune, or by the prospect of possessing what one desires; and also, delight, the expression or exhibition of such emotion; gaiety. Another definition is a state of happiness or felicity, or bliss. A third definition lists joy as a source or cause of delight.
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Since joy is so prevalent in songs, holidays, and especially in the Bible, I get the feeling that there is more to it than just a feeling or an emotion.
After Googling to find more about joy, I learned that I am not alone in seeking a deeper understanding of its definition. I found great articles from some of my favorite teachers and speakers, such as John Piper, Josh McDowell, and Francis Chan. There were pages and pages of books on Amazon about joy.
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As far as I can surmise, joy is more than an emotion or a feeling; it is a state of being, deep within the soul.
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John Piper described joy as, “Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as he causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world.”
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I can see the beauty of Christ in the Word of God, but I think I have to squint a little to see it in the world unless I recognize the beauty in the blessings God gives me in my world. That brings me joy for sure. I am surrounded by it, and I feel a deep sense of gratitude for it.
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So, I’m making a short list of the things that bring me joy:
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5. My dogs and my cat. They are always happy to see me, and the feel of their fur in my hands brings a lightness to my heart.
4. The special pieces of décor around my home. I was recently inspired by a divine idea to search for a buffet cabinet to provide extra storage in our kitchen. I prayed for the right one, with the right style (always Mid-Century for me) at the right price, and I found it. It looks perfect and functions just as I needed it to. It was a gift from God, for sure. Every time I see it, I feel blessed and loved because it was a gift from my God.
3. All the things God brings me that He knows I will like. Whether it’s the perfect red cardigan, flowers for the front porch, or the above-mentioned buffet cabinet, I can see God’s “fingerprints” on the things that He has brought to me. They bring me so much joy.
2. Answered prayers. Talk about joy! Recently, I prayed for a dog sitter for a short trip I'm taking next month, and today, God brought me the right person. And at the right price.
1. God’s voice. His voice is usually still and quiet, and I know it’s Him. In much the same way, a child knows their mother’s voice, it’s self-authenticating. He speaks to me in my soul and sometimes through a teaching that I have taken the time to listen to.
I try to keep a journal of these blessings (I have a digital prayer journal on my phone that works great for this). It’s so encouraging to look back through the entries and reflect on all the times God has been with me, helping me, comforting me, and giving me personalized gifts. It truly brings me joy.
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Blessings to you!
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Angela Dolbear is the author of contemporary Christian novels, such as THE GARDEN KEY Series and THE TORMENTOR’S TALE, as well as many short stories. Her latest release, The Mid-Century Breakfast Club, is the fourth book in The Garden Tales series and will be released in the Summer of 2025. Her novels are available on Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook formats. Angela writes real, relatable, and reverent fiction. She loves reading, writing prose, and writing and recording music with her husband, Tim, in their studio in Nashville, TN—listen to her new album STORMS on your favorite music streaming service. Please drop by and sign up for news, read the latest stories, and hear new original music at http://www.angeladolbear.com/subscribe.htm.