Some say joy and happiness are different and that while one can’t choose happiness one can choose joy. The sentiment is noble but difficult to imagine. It brings to mind a tight-fisted determination, a gritted-teeth smile. Who wants an unhappy joy?

For a definition of joy I turned to John Piper and was delighted to find he does not shy away from emotion. ​“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.” 

That kind of joy can’t come through direct effort. It can only be cultivated. 

While you can’t will joyfulness, you can take your body to a quiet place and recall the goodness of God and listen for the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit — a voice that may ask you to die to yourself in some way that while unpleasant at first will bring happy fruit. Obedience is the path to joy.

There are fun ways too, of course, that the Spirit may invite you to cultivate joy. Like enjoying a good laugh, as Carolyn Arends shares.

Nathan Foster and Jan Johnson also give some practical advice on the podcast this week for being glad with God.

Psalm 100 is apropos. The Message renders it vibrantly: 

On your feet now — applaud God! 
Bring a gift of laughter, 
sing yourselves into his presence…
Enter with the password: ​“Thank you!” 
Make yourselves at home, talking praise. 
Thank him. Worship him.
For God is sheer beauty, 
all-generous in love, 
loyal always and ever.