JOIN USThere are times and moments when we are invaded by overflowing joy. Most of the times such joy is unexpected, unplanned and it comes perhaps when we least expect.
But there are also individuals who try to engineer a privatized joy through recourse to psychedelic drugs, benumbing alcoholic drinks, sex and many others.
But all such “excitements”- that is how they should be termed rather than use the word “joy”- do not last long nor do they satisfy us completely. They only set up a craving and cause overpowering envoi or disgust and sadness. From the heights of excitement the individual plummets to the trough of disgust and despair.
This is what happened to one of the sons of king David who lusted after a relative woman and employed all guile to get her for himself but once he had satisfied his lust only disgust came upon him and he drove her from his presence (Cf. II Sam 13.1-20).
True joy on the contrary comes from doing the right thing as well as we possibly can and when we have accomplished it satisfaction comes and it lasts because we have done something that is good.
Joy is a gift of God and Jesus told his disciples “…no one will take your joy from you” (Jn 16.22) because Jesus is in some fashion or other with all who do good; with all who are unselfish and think of the good of their neighbour.
In such charity which is another name for love, God himself is present and that is why Jesus is bold to say that the world cannot take away such a peace and joy.
Could there be joy when we have physical pain and suffering. Certainly yes; because such a joy in the midst of physical pain is not the result of using drugs to get high. It is calm and quiet, filled with a sense of spiritual well being.
How does that joy come about, one may ask, and the answer is very simple: It comes from a sense of being in God’s presence, it is a lively faith that nothing adverse can ever upset me because I am in the hands of God and God loves me and cares for me. He who looks after the birds of the air and the lilies of the field will he not look after me? (Cf. Mt 6. 25-33).
This overpowering simple trust in God enables one to be calm and quiet at all times like the psalmist who declares: “I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child quieted at its mother’s breast; like a child that is quieted is my soul” (Ps131.2).
What can be a safer place than God’s powerful right hand that upholds all who trust him? So no one can take away my joy of being in God. Come what may, let the opposition grow and wax strong but nothing will ever disturb me!