Tavern Talk #78 - I Choose Joy

This month’s message centered on the theme that joy is not circumstantial, it’s a spiritual choice. Grounded in scripture, we explored how biblical joy is not a fleeting feeling, but a deeply rooted response to eternal truths.

Joy, we were reminded, isn’t naïve positivity or denial of hardship. It’s perspective. It’s choosing to believe that God’s Kingdom is real and active even when life is messy. Jesus and Paul both call us to rejoice in light of what’s true in heaven, not what we feel in the moment.

We also talked about joy as a communal practice, something we share with others, even when they can’t find it for themselves. Joy, when chosen daily, becomes a beacon for those around us. It’s not about pretending everything is ok. It’s trusting that in the grand scheme, we will be more than okay.

We closed with a reminder: like an airplane breaking through storm clouds into sunshine, the light has always been there. So today, we choose joy. Not because life is easy, but because God is good. Try it. When faced with a decision about how to feel or how to react, choose joy.

You might even try saying it out loud.

“I choose joy.”

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Additional Readings:

1 Thessalonians 5:16

Matthew 5:12

Luke 6:23

Luke 10:20

Luke 15:6, 9

Romans 12:15

Philippians 4:4