Joy: God’s Secret Weapon for Victory

Today, I’d like to share about something that saved my life and can transform yours—even in the middle of hardship. That something is joy.

But what is joy, really? And how is it different from happiness?

Happiness is that pleasant feeling we get when circumstances go our way—when life aligns with our desires. But happiness, as wonderful as it is, comes and goes. It’s tied to circumstances that can change in a heartbeat.

Joy, however, is entirely different. Joy is not dependent on circumstances. It is a powerful, spiritual force that comes straight from God. Unlike happiness, joy is not fleeting—it is a source of deep strength that empowers us. It is a byproduct of our faith.

Scripture tells us in Nehemiah 8:10:“Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

This isn’t referring to ordinary, earthly joy. It’s describing God’s joy—a joy that is available to you as His child. A joy that is filled with spiritual power. A joy that gives us the strength to step over fear and move forward with peace.

Where Joy Comes From

So how do we receive this kind of joy? It comes from the Word of God.

John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” That Word is Jesus—the Living Word.

When you invite Jesus into your life and begin planting God’s Word in your heart, faith takes root and joy springs up. It springs up as a byproduct of His presence in you. And that joy doesn’t just strengthen your spirit—it brings strength to your soul (mind, will and emotions) and even to your physical body.

That’s what makes joy so crucial. We cannot live in victory without the strength of the Lord—and when God strengthens us, joy is present.

Joy Is More Than a Feeling

Joy is not just a state of mind, and it’s certainly not a passing emotion. It is a spiritual force that the enemy cannot overcome. Just as fear yields to faith, discouragement must yield to joy.

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you already have joy within you—it is one of the fruits of the Spirit. But like a seed, it must be cultivated. How? By speaking God’s Word over your life, choosing to live in agreement with it, and claiming it as your own.

Choosing Joy in Hardship

No matter what you are facing today—whether it’s sickness, loss, or uncertainty—you can choose joy. You can draw from the well of the Holy Spirit inside you and rise above your circumstances.

God’s Word builds our faith.

Faith overcomes fear.

Where faith is, joy springs up and fills us with spiritual strength.

Remember this truth: The joy of the Lord is your strength.

I know this firsthand. When I was given just months to live after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, joy became one of the weapons God used to carry me through the darkest days. His strength brought me not only peace, but healing. His joy came every time I read His Healing Promises out loud.

Fear constantly stalked me. But every time it attacked (and that was several times a day), I would grab my pages of God’s Promises and read them out loud UNTIL the joy filled my heart and the fear was gone. It was a battle. But one I was determined to win.

If you’re looking for encouragement, hope, and practical faith to face life’s biggest battles, I invite you to read my book, Life, Cancer and God. It’s my story of how God brought me from the brink of death to complete healing—and how His Word, His joy, and His promises made all the difference.

➡️ Click here to get your copy of Life, Cancer and God in our store.

You don’t have to live in fear of cancer. With God’s wisdom and a willingness to walk His way, you can win over cancer too—or prevent it from ever happening.

Standing in faith with you,

Paula Black