Is There Joy for Everyone?

Are there some folks whose personalities prevent them from experiencing joy? Can there be such a thing as a joyful Type A person? Can melancholy people ever find joy? What about the Beaver who is so diligent to do everything right? Is joy better suited for less driven, people-person, Golden Retrievers?

I guess the same question could be asked of any gift God gives. Are there some folks who are just wired better for these gifts than others? Like critical people make the best prophets?

What about experiences? What about those people who have had multiple tragedies in their family? What about a person who has been molested, or abused, or attacked? Can they ever expect to find joy?

What about children who lost a parent or experienced the divorce of their parents? What about parents who lost a child in death or rebellion? What about having a parent who showed them no interest? Can they ever expect to find joy?

What about someone who was always compared to a smarter, more talented or athletic sibling? What about the one who tried as hard as they could but only pulled off average results? Can they ever expect to find joy?

What about the person who never felt the security of unconditional love? Or the one who never was good enough? Or was always picked last? Or didn’t get the invitations to the parties everyone else did? Is there any joy for them?

Zephaniah says, “The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”

Sounds like God isn’t testing whether you are worthy of joy, only that, because of the depth of His love, He will demonstrate His own joy for you. If God delights in us, why can’t we consider ourselves capable of delighting in Him. If we will delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart. Is that desire joy? Then draw near to Him, for in His presence is the fullness of joy.

Question: Does the question of worthiness ever stop you from enjoying the goodness of God?

Comments?