In Hannah Whitall Smith’s book The God of All Comfort, she talks about how an agnostic man once told her, “Do you know why I will never consider God? It’s because of Christians. According to their religion, they should have absolute joy and peace, happiness and victory. And yet they often look like the most miserable people in the world.” This man was not wrong. Often Christians walk around looking gloomy and worried. And yes, the world is a dark and discouraging place. Many horrible things are happening all over our planet: racism, violence, famine, destruction. At the same time, we Christians know the “Good News” — and the secret of the Good News is that life is meant to be good. Jesus Christ offers us a joy-filled life. 

While there are times of sadness and mourning, it is not God’s will that we trudge grimly through life. It is God’s purpose that, within the limitations of this imperfect world, his people rejoice. Dozens of verses within the Bible make this point, including Psalm 68:3, which reads, “But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.” God wants us to live lives marked by happiness. Through our joy, we can reach our world for Christ, showing others that despite what’s happening in our lives and the world, they can also live in the overwhelming joy of Christ.

This is Luis Palau.