Rediscovering Joy: Finding Your Smile in Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: Joy Is Not Optional—It’s a Command

Joy is not just a fleeting feeling or a personality trait; it is a command for every follower of Jesus. The call to rejoice is not dependent on circumstances, but is rooted in the unchanging goodness and nearness of God. Even when life feels overwhelming or happiness seems out of reach, you are invited to choose joy as an act of obedience and trust. Joy is deeper than happiness—it is the heart’s response to God’s love and faithfulness, and it is meant to be visible to the world as a testimony of your relationship with Christ. [41:09]

Philippians 4:4-5 (NIV)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been waiting for circumstances to improve before choosing joy? How can you intentionally rejoice in the Lord today, regardless of what is happening around you?

Day 2: Joy Comes from Knowing You Are Not Alone

True joy is possible even in the darkest moments because God promises to be with you through every trial and hardship. When you feel overwhelmed, afraid, or abandoned, remember that God calls you by name and surrounds you with His protection and favor. His presence is often most tangible in your struggles, and He uses your circumstances for His glory and your growth. You can have joy in the midst of pain, loss, or uncertainty because you are never alone—God is with you, and He is working all things for your good. [43:11]

Isaiah 43:1-2 (NIV)
But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Reflection: Think of a recent or current challenge where you have felt alone. How can you remind yourself of God’s presence with you in that situation, and what would it look like to choose joy in the midst of it?

Day 3: Joy Is a Fruit of the Spirit, Not Anger

The evidence of the Holy Spirit in your life is not anger or bitterness, but love, joy, peace, and all the other fruits of the Spirit. Anger may be a natural human response, but it does not produce the righteousness God desires. Instead, you are called to put off your old self and let the Spirit cultivate joy and kindness in you. Your words and actions should build others up and reflect the joy that comes from Christ, even in a world that often expects Christians to be angry or harsh. [37:37]

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Reflection: In what situations do you find yourself most tempted to respond with anger instead of joy? What is one practical way you can let the Holy Spirit replace anger with joy and kindness this week?

Day 4: Joy Comes from an Eternal Perspective

Joy is sustained not by present circumstances, but by the hope of what is to come. As a follower of Jesus, your true home is in heaven, and the promise of eternal life gives you a reason to smile even when life is hard. Looking forward to the future God has prepared for you changes how you endure trials today. Your environment may be difficult, but your expectation of God’s goodness and the reality of heaven can fill you with joy that nothing in this world can take away. [47:39]

1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV)
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Reflection: When you face discouragement or disappointment, how can you shift your focus from your current situation to the hope of eternity? What is one way you can remind yourself today that heaven is your true home?

Day 5: Joy Is a Decision—Let It Show

Joy is not just something you feel; it is a choice you make and a witness you carry. Even when life is difficult, you can decide to let the love and joy in your heart show up on your face and in your actions. Smiling in the midst of hardship is a powerful testimony to the world that your hope is in Jesus, not in your circumstances. The world desperately needs to see the difference that Christ makes—so choose joy, let it be visible, and let it draw others to the source of your hope. [56:17]

Psalm 42:11 (NIV)
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to see the joy of Jesus in you today? How can you intentionally let your joy be visible—through your words, your actions, or even your smile?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we began a new journey together, exploring what it means to rediscover the things we've lost as followers of Jesus—starting with our joy. I shared some lighthearted stories from the school lost and found, reminding us how easy it is to misplace things, even things that matter deeply to us. But there are losses far more significant than keys or glasses: many of us have lost our smile, our joy, and the spark that comes from truly following Jesus. Too often, Christians are known for anger or frustration rather than the joy that should mark our lives.

We looked at the words of James and Paul, who remind us that anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. Instead, we are called to put off our old selves and embrace a new way of living—one marked by kindness, compassion, and joy. The fruit of the Spirit is not anger, but love, joy, peace, patience, and more. If the Spirit is in us, these are the qualities that should overflow from our lives.

Joy is not a suggestion; it's a command. Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord always, not just when life is easy. Happiness is fleeting and based on circumstances, but joy is rooted in knowing Jesus. Even in the darkest moments, like the early Christians facing real persecution, or David running for his life, joy was possible because of God’s presence and promises. We can have joy because we are never alone—God is with us in every trial, and He promises to use our circumstances for His glory.

Our joy is also anchored in eternity. This life is not our final destination; heaven is our true home. No matter what we face here, we look forward with hope and expectation, knowing that one day all sorrow and pain will be gone. That eternal perspective changes how we live now.

Finally, joy is a decision. It’s not something we wait to feel, but something we choose because of who Jesus is and what He’s done. When we let the love and joy in our hearts show on our faces, we become a witness to a world desperate for hope. If you’ve lost your smile, remember: you haven’t lost Jesus, and you haven’t lost your joy. Choose to smile—not because everything is perfect, but because God is good, faithful, and with you.

Key Takeaways

1. Joy is a command, not a suggestion God calls us to rejoice always, regardless of our circumstances. This isn’t a shallow happiness, but a deep, abiding joy rooted in Christ. Obedience to this command transforms our witness and shapes our hearts, even when life is hard. [40:24]
2. Joy is not based on circumstances Happiness comes and goes with the ups and downs of life, but joy remains because it is anchored in our relationship with Jesus. Even in suffering, loss, or disappointment, we can experience joy because God is present and working for our good. [41:09]
3. God’s presence sustains our joy We are never alone in our struggles. God promises to be with us in every trial, and often, His presence is most tangible in our hardest moments. This assurance allows us to face difficulties with a joy that confounds the world. [43:11]
4. Eternal perspective fuels present joy When we remember that heaven is our true home, our current troubles lose their power to steal our joy. Looking forward to what God has prepared for us gives us hope and strength to endure, knowing that the best is yet to come. [47:39]
5. Joy is a daily decision We must choose joy, letting it show in our words, actions, and even our expressions. This choice is a powerful testimony to others, revealing the difference Jesus makes in our lives. Even when we don’t feel joyful, choosing to smile and trust God can restore what’s been lost. [56:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[26:15] - Introduction to Lost and Found
[26:45] - What American Christians Have Lost
[27:14] - Lost and Found Stories from School
[28:55] - Turn and Talk: Lost Something Stories
[30:34] - The Value of What We Lose
[32:27] - Losing Joy: More Than Losing Things
[33:44] - The Problem of Angry Christianity
[34:18] - Anger vs. Righteousness
[35:29] - Putting Off the Old Self
[36:55] - Words That Build Up
[37:37] - Fruit of the Spirit: Joy, Not Anger
[38:56] - Rediscovering Joy: The M&M Illustration
[40:24] - Joy Is a Command
[41:09] - Joy vs. Happiness
[43:11] - God’s Presence in Hard Times
[47:39] - Joy from an Eternal Perspective
[49:52] - Focusing on Jesus Restores Joy
[52:09] - David’s Example: Joy in Suffering
[54:56] - Joy Despite Circumstances
[56:17] - Choosing Joy and Smiling
[57:58] - Practical Steps to Regain Joy
[59:24] - Prayer for Restored Joy
[60:35] - Closing and Final Encouragement

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Philippians 4:4-5 (NIV) — Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. James 1:19-20 (NIV) My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Sermon Clips

But losing something valuable, it makes your heart drop. But worse than losing a pen is losing your smile, your joy, the spark that comes from following Jesus. Too many Christians, we've lost our smile and we haven't even noticed that it's gone. We don't display the joy of following and serving Jesus. [00:32:47] (23 seconds) #LostJoyFound

So Paul was saying anger was your old way of life. And now you have new life in Jesus. Don't let anger dominate in control. Don't sin when you're angry. Don't even let the sun go down while you're still angry. Which means don't be angry for very long. [00:36:02] (18 seconds) #NewLifeNoAnger

Joy comes from knowing that you are not alone. God is with you in life's worst moments. You have a promise in Isaiah 43. Don't be afraid. I've redeemed you. I've called you by name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end, because I am God, your personal God, the holy of Israel, your Savior. [00:43:03] (34 seconds) #GodWithYouAlways

He endured the cross for the joy set before him. So it was the joy set before him. Jesus knew his sacrifice would create the opportunity for you to be free and to have the gift of grace and joy. The joy was paying the price for your salvation, making a way for you to go to heaven. That's what enabled Jesus to endure the cross. Do you know what that means? You give Jesus joy. That should make you smile. [00:45:30] (41 seconds) #EternalJoyAhead

You can't expect this life to be smooth, easy, and trouble free. But you've got something to look forward to. Your joy isn't based on now. Your joy is based on what's ahead. Joy comes from an eternal perspective. You can have joy in the middle of difficulty because you're not living for this life. You're living for the next life. [00:47:28] (24 seconds) #ExpectationShapesExpression

As believers, we live with eternal expectation. That should put a smile on your face. You're just visiting here. You're passing through on your way to your real home in heaven. And when you get to heaven, there'll be no more death, no more sorrow, no more heartache, no pain, no more taxes, no sickness, no disease, no more politics. When you struggle with joy, remember that heaven's your home and that should make you smile. [00:48:50] (35 seconds) #FocusOnJesus

What you fixate on is what you will become. If you want to be joyful, focus on Jesus. Your circumstances may not immediately change, but the perspective shift is going to be life-altering. [00:49:45] (17 seconds) #PraiseThroughPain

Sometimes I ask God, my rock solid God, why did you let me down? Why am I walking around in tears, harassed by my enemies? They're out for the kill. These tormentors with their obscenities taunting day after day. Where is this God of you? Why are you down in the dumpster, soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God. Soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God. [00:53:03] (31 seconds) #UnstealableJoy

You can take everything that I have, but you can't steal my joy and take my smile. I am joyful, filled, and joyful because I have Jesus in my heart and heaven on my mind. In a world filled with sickness and sadness and anger, people won't understand that. People can't understand that. [00:55:02] (30 seconds) #ChooseJoyNotAnger

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the difference between happiness and joy?

How does knowing Jesus sustain joy during hardships?

Why should Christians choose to smile despite challenges?