Finding Our Joy and Satisfaction in Jesus

Joy…

           

     What an elusive word in today’s society. So often when we think of joy, we think of those euphoric moments someone else has experienced. We may remember our neighbors talking about the two-week cruise they took to Greece last year. Or perhaps we are reminded of our favorite novel or movie, the part when everything works out for the characters. We may sigh blissfully one minute, then close the book or turn off the tv, disillusioned. Life will never be that good. These stories are just trying to sell me something that can never happen. I shouldn’t long for more. It’s never coming. Then we try to guard ourselves with our tough faces, bracing ourselves for another day that feels so barren.

 

     Have you ever felt this way? Have you ever been in that place and desperately wondered, What am I supposed to do?! If so, you’re not alone. I believe that every single person experiences this aching longing for more. Why? God wants us to come to the end of ourselves so that we realize that all of the ways we try to fulfill ourselves are pointless. We must die to our own ideas of how to make ourselves happy. Only an intimate relationship with God can fulfill our deepest longings.

 

     As I discussed in my last blog post, seeking God is vital for us because the primary reason God created us was for intimacy with Him. We should long to seek Him because knowing Him reveals to us our worth and purpose. (Not to mention, experiencing God’s goodness by spending time with Him is awesome!) But we should also long to seek God because He promises to fulfill the desires of our hearts and to give us everything we truly need.

 

     Now, saying that may seem like I’m treating God like He’s a genie in a bottle. So I should want to seek God because if I do, He will give me everything I want? No, not at all. You see, God knows what we want better than we do. If we can reframe our heart’s desire to be happy for what it really is—to be intimately united with the Creator of our souls—then we can see that it is good for us to want to be happy! Our longing for more really points us to what we were ultimately made for. As C.S. Lewis said, “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” That world is heaven, where we will have perfect, unhindered relationship with Jesus. Our Father is so good that He created this ache in our hearts for lasting fulfillment so that we would seek Him and thus find true life.

 

     When I was younger, I wanted to be in a relationship with a particular boy. I didn’t think it was going to work out, and I struggled with trusting God with the situation. But then, when I was praying about it, He told me that whatever He decided regarding the relationship, I would be the most happy, joyful, and content I could possibly ever be. And that really spoke to me. It put to rest the anxious clamoring in my soul, the clawing for the outcome that I wanted, because that was the only way I would be happy.

 

     How often we try to fulfill the desires of our hearts apart from God because we think that whatever He has planned, it will steal our happiness? But that’s simply not true. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. God alone knows what will make us happy.

 

     Psalm 86:4 says, “‘Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you.’” Thus, happiness comes as we put our trust in God! Romans 15:13 supports this statement: “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (emphasis mine).

 

     Whatever makes us miserable and pulls us away from trusting in God is a plan of the enemy. Whatever causes fear is not from God. In fact, these things are from satan, whom God aptly named the “father of all lies” (John 8:44). Thus, if you are scared that trusting God with your desires will make you unhappy, you are listening to a lie! Stop right now and turn your heart towards God’s Word! What does It say? Matthew 6:33 says to “Seek the kingdom of God … and he will give you everything you need.” And Romans 14:13 defines the kingdom of God as “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

 

     WOW! Seeking God’s kingdom (Himself and His will) means that I am pursuing righteousness, peace, and joy?! YES! God is not an ogre, that He wouldn’t want to see His kids happy! Check out Matthew 7:9-11: “’You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.’”

 

     Truly, if the One Who created me is the One Who can fulfill my heart’s desires, then why wouldn’t I long for Him?! If He is so great and powerful, then why wouldn’t I want to get to know Him better and experience His plans for me?! And how out-of-place it would seem to not want a relationship with this God. When He has offered me more than I can ever imagine, I want to take Him up on it. I want to be with a God like this.

 

     How about you? Are you ready for a life of greater fulfillment and lasting joy? Jump into Jesus’ arms! I promise, you will never be the same.

 

     In my next blog post, I will explore in greater depth how God satisfies our needs (and yes, one of those needs is for happiness!).

 

 

*Unless otherwise noted, all scripture references are from the New Living Translation.

 

 

Works Cited

 

www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/801500-mere-christianity. Accessed 2 Jan. 2024.

 

Lewis, C.S. “Mere Christianity Quotes.” Goodreads, Goodreads, Inc. 2024.

 

New Living Translation. BibleGateway, Accessed 17 Feb. 2024.