Having joy doesn’t mean the absence of heartaches or hard feelings, relational tension or interpersonal brokenness. In fact, in many families, social groups, communities and, yes, churches as well, broken relationships are common and often become the cause for complaints, bickering, anger, animosity, resentment, and primary challenges to mental and emotional wellness. If joy is essentially relational, then restored relationships will generate joy, strengthen relational harmony, and develop emotional maturity.
Paul’s message about reconciling joy reminds us that our inner negative thoughts and feelings do not have to reflect the outward, often unpleasant, stressful and taxing circumstances. Our joy comes from knowing that God is in control; our peace comes from our identity and destiny in Christ.
