The Lodestar

Some ancient philosophers, such as the Stoics, and many ancient and modern religious traditions suggest that joy and spirituality cannot go together. So spiritual people must look very serious and be dressed distinctly from others.

However, the Bible encourages us to be joyful in all circumstances. Paul wrote from the Roman prison to the believers in Philippi to “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). He must have been extremely joyful in his imprisonment. Apostle James exhorted the suffering churches to consider their hardships joyful experiences (James 1:2).

Christian joy is not derived from human experiences or the circumstances they face, whether positive or negative. Even the hardships of life cannot diminish it. This joy is rooted in eternal realities: the love and presence of the Lord they experience in this world and the hope of being in His presence in the world to come. It is this spiritual foundation that makes their joy resilient and unshakeable.

The sage who penned this little proverb suggests that joyfulness is the best tonic for good health—the opposite degenerates.

It is a lamentable reality that many followers of Christ, despite having lasting reasons for joy, often lead melancholic lives. They complain about what the world has done to them, what they could not do, or what they have lost. This constant state of sorrow not only affects their health but also erases the moments of happiness that could have been. It starkly contrasts the joy that Christ has called us to.

Christ has called us to joyfulness that is independent of our circumstances; no adversities should dampen us; our lives are anchored in Christ.