Joy is a fruit of the spirit and an attitude that many associate with knowing Jesus.

Yet pain continues to be part of life, perhaps even more so for Christians. Sickness, anger, broken relationships, deceit and death are real, even as we get to know God’s goodness better. How we can really claim joy in Christ when life looks less than joyful?

The Bible does not sugarcoat the experience of believing in Jesus. It shows us over and over again that pain is a real consequence of having faith. But it also shows us how, even in the darkest moments, faith can endure.

MOSES

At the end of his life, Moses had wandered through the desert for 40 years with people who constantly questioned his leadership and God’s intentions for their well-being. Because of his own disobedience, he wasn’t even allowed into the promised land.

Yet, Moses did not give up on his journey with God. On the last day of his life, he blessed God’s people, saw the promised land from afar and died according to God’s word (Deuteronomy 33; 34:1-5, English Standard Version). God was with him to the end. He didn’t experience God’s blessing, but rather remained faithful knowing that his people would be blessed after him.

MARY

Mary was chosen to be Jesus’ mother. Though this role would be considered a blessing, it left her pregnant out of marriage and led her to give birth in a place for animals. She had to watch her son become more and more hated by her people until finally, she took a front seat to his torture and death on the cross.

But Mary never denied her son. She was there until the very end of his life, and at the beginning of the new church (Acts 1:14, ESV). God blessed Mary’s willingness to take on the role of Jesus’ mother. The pain of being ostracized and of losing her own son did not keep Mary from remembering God’s promise for his purpose and for hers.

PAUL

Paul’s life as an apostle was rocky from the start. Plots to murder him were already in effect as soon as he began proclaiming Jesus as the son of God (Acts 9:23, ESV).

And yet, Paul continued to preach despite conflict, imprisonment and threats against his life. He had the opportunity to see and know Jesus, and used this privilege to share the gospel with countless people. When he was thrown in jail, he continued to sing, and when the jail crumbled, he stayed to share the gospel with his jailer (Acts 16:25-34, ESV).

By the world’s standards, obedience to Christ causes heartbreak, pain and death. But to Moses, Mary, Paul and so many others with faith, joy was rooted in how close they were to God.

Their stories show us that true joy is not a thing of this world. Instead, it’s redefined by a relationship with God. These examples of faith did not deny their fear, but they didn’t let it be their complete focus either. They continued to cling to love, even when the world around them crumbled.

Yes, darkness is real. But while the darkness in the world lingers, it does not extinguish Jesus’ light.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5, ESV)

Joy in Christ is preparing blessings for future generations, even when you know you won’t experience them yourself. Joy in Christ is knowing your purpose is more than what other people think of you. Joy in Christ is singing, even when the world is crumbling around you.

God does not guarantee a pain-free life. In fact, His word shows us how pain is often inseparable from faith. But He redefines joy into something that relies not on the world or on the circumstances around us, but rather on something more permanent — His love for us. This love is not ignorant: He is intimately aware of every tear and sorrow we feel (Psalm 56:8, ESV). This love is also permanent, coming from a God whose love is said to endure forever (Psalm 136).

For those who believe in Jesus, joy is not what you get out of life. Joy is in what you already have.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1, ESV)

What Does Joy in Christ Look Like?