Choosing Joy Might Be the Most Rebellious Thing You Do Today
In a world that profits from your anxiety, choosing joy is a radical act.
If you’re like me, you’re not the rebellious type. But when I logged into “X” recently, I was reminded again that the world doesn’t want me joyful, even though God does.
It wants me to be outraged, exhausted, and reactive. In this kind of world, choosing joy is rebellion. But it’s the kind of rebellion I am more than okay with!
The problem is, we often forget to embrace the joy that Jesus offers, even though we’re Christians!! We tend to live like everyone around us, we default to fear, cynicism, anxiety, or numbness.
And literally everything around you is wired to keep you overwhelmed, so when you choose joy instead, you're messing with the system.
In her book “Undaunted Joy,” author Shemaiah Gonzalez puts it plainly:
“Choosing joy in the midst of despair is an act of rebellion.”
Why? Because joy refuses to be dictated by headlines, algorithms, or circumstances. It's not about ignoring pain; it's about defying it.
The Bible Project reminds us that biblical joy isn't mere happiness; it's a deep, enduring gladness rooted in God's presence and promises.
Real, Biblical joy doesn’t come and go; it stays rock solid, deep within.
Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that joy is the fruit of God’s presence in our lives.
“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.”
And in Matthew 5:11-12, Jesus exhorts us;
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
When we realize that Jesus’ way was one of loving, even to the point of death itself, joy in our trials becomes strangely reasonable.
Our joy isn’t meant to come from what we go through, but from who God is.
It’s not about ignoring pain or pretending everything’s fine. It’s about seeing even the hard stuff in light of what God has already done, and what He’s promised to do:
✨ To reconcile all things.
✨ To make all things new.
Joy isn’t an optional extra, or something we can do without… It’s a foundational reality we need to embrace!!