The Tooth Fairy or the Holy Spirit?

Joy Elben is a gifted interior designer and writer who battles physical issues with grace and joy. In this Joy UPGRADE, she reminds us there is real joy that is solid and secure—not from circumstances, but from the Holy Spirit who indwells us.

“Joy can feel like an ever-elusive concept, like the Tooth Fairy, or the Easter Bunny or the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,” she said.

“We quest after, wish for, and chase down the peace and contentment that it brings.”

Oh, I (Dawn) have been down that elusive trail to happiness, and it does not compare to the joy I have now. Joy explains this so well.

Joy continues . . .

If joy, by its very definition, is characterized by great pleasure and happiness, well-being and delight, then it stands to reason that we want to be in pursuit of such a trait.

Honestly now, we all desire that. I know that I do!

While writing for an upcoming publication a few years ago, I asked my husband to play a quick word association game with me. I would say a word and he would tell me the word that came immediately to mind. For example: milk and cookies or peanut butter and jelly.

When I produced the word “identity,” the first word that came to his mind was “theft.”

I laughed because I was certain that as a seasoned pastor, he would share some deep insightful anecdotes on which I could elaborate. Instead, I received an image of an RIFD* wallet meant to ward off identity theft.

I then came to love the idea.

In September of 2019, our family was gifted the opportunity to go to the Middle East on a mission/humanitarian trip, and the first thing I did was buy an RFID cover for our passports.

It was made apparent to us that identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the world, and in a moment, can devastatingly damage, if not ruin, your credit and sense of security.

It can take years to recover and restore what had always belonged to you in the first place.

Think about it, the enemy would love nothing more than to steal from us the joy of an identity rooted in who we are as a child of God.

Just as a thief stealthily comes to steal your identity replacing it with another, so the Deceiver will try to replace the truth that you are eternally whole and secure with the lie that you need to look for significance or individuality in temporal trappings.

The Bible is in fact our RFID protection against such robbery.

It is the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of Truth. It is there to remind you of who you are; thus, being the ultimate protection from identity theft.

When we know Whose we are, our joy is secure.

Joy is different than happiness.

The world would have us on an endless search for the next thing that will fulfill our longing for contentment.

Fundamentally, however, we all know that feelings of happiness can be elusive and fleeting. They dissipate like the fog as the sun beats down upon the beach in the heat of the day. It’s gone just as surely as it was there, but the biblical definition of joy goes so much deeper than that.

What is True, Biblical Joy?

1. True, Biblical Joy Comes from the Holy Spirit.

You will find that biblical joy can be a contstant and non-transient companion through the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.

How sweet it is to know that joy, because it is a fruit of the spirit, is a natural manifestation of the Holy Spirit in me:

But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . joy . . . . (Galatians 5:22).

It isn’t up to me to conjure up a feeling of happiness, but rather it is a result of walking with the Lord and growing in my faith.

2. True, Biblical Joy Is Grounded in the God of Hope.

True joy has staying power that can abide through the harshest of rays and the darkest of days because it is grounded in the assurance that Jesus is our source of joy, peace, hope, and confidence, as seen in Romans 15:13:

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

3. True, Biblical Joy Carries Us Through Difficulties.

The God of the universe is our rock and salvation. Due to this truth, we can live in an abiding state of joy despite experiencing legitimate and deep sorrow or uncertainty in our circumstances and trials.

The writer of Psalms knew the reality of this truth as he penned:

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:1).

I surely look forward to the “forevermore” promised in the Psalms, but for now I rest in His faithfulness, knowing that He knows what is best and can be trusted with life’s unknowns.

Joy in the Lord is greater than anything the world can offer.

Are you searching for your source of joy and strength outside of the standard of the character of Jesus? If so, take a moment to examine what you are trying to control. Can you visualize yourself handing your circumstances over to God?

Joy Elben, born and raised in sunny, San Diego, California, grew up at and later served at Shadow Mountain Community Church and Turning Point Ministries. She then journeyed alongside her husband to Forest Home Christian Camps, in the picturesque setting of Ojai, California. After two years in this beautiful setting Joy and her family relocated to Georgia and learned a new normal in the sweet, South. Joy has enjoyed speaking opportunities throughout the US and the Middle East. Joy and family currently reside in Southern California. Joy is a pastor's wife, adoptive mom, foster parent, enthusiastic traveler, writer, artist, graphic designer and owner of Joy Elben Design.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Anastasiya Babienko at Pixabay.

* RFID means "radio frequency identification," a form of wireless communication.