Joy Has a Look
"When the governor saw what happened, he became a believer, full of enthusiasm over what they were saying about the Master." Acts 13:12 (MSG)
In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas meet Sergius Paulus, a Roman governor who was curious about Jesus. A sorcerer named Elymas tries to block him from believing, but Paul, full of the Holy Spirit, confronts him directly. In a bold moment, Elymas is struck blind. The miracle is dramatic but what truly changes the governor is the message about Jesus.
The Bible says he became a believer full of enthusiasm. Not quiet. Not reserved. Enthusiastic. His belief had energy. Passion. Joy.
That verse reminds us that joy has a look. You can see it. You can feel it. It shows up in your words, your attitude, even your face. Real joy doesn’t hide. It radiates.
Enthusiasm is the outward expression of inner joy. It is expressive. It is contagious. And it’s exactly the kind of faith the world needs to see.
One day, someone came up to me and asked, “Do you need Tylenol?” I looked confused and said, “No… why?” They replied, “You just look like you have a headache.” The bad part? I didn’t. That was just my face.
It made me laugh later, but it also made me think, what am I unintentionally communicating? If someone looked at me, would they know I have the joy of the Lord… or just assume I need a nap and some Advil? That moment reminded me how easy it is to carry stress on your face and keep joy buried inside.
The truth is, joy has a look, and sometimes our face is preaching louder than our words.
So how do we live with that kind of visible, contagious joy? Here’s a simple way to remember it using the word JOY:
J – Jesus First
Make Him your priority again. Joy follows presence.
Start your day with Him. Talk to Him throughout it. Read His Word not out of duty, but for delight. When Jesus takes first place, everything else falls into its rightful place, including your joy. The more you focus on Him, the less room there is for stress to steal your smile. Joy is not something you chase. It is the result of staying close to the One who gives it.
O – Overflow in Gratitude
Gratitude awakens joy. Start naming what you are thankful for. It shifts your mindset.
Even on hard days, there is always something to thank God for: breath in your lungs, people you love, grace you did not earn. Gratitude helps you stop replaying what is missing and start celebrating what is already there. Make it a habit. Thank God out loud, write it down, or text someone your thanks. Joy multiplies when gratitude flows.
Y – Yes to the Mission
Say yes to being used by God. There is nothing more joyful than knowing you are part of His story.
Sometimes we lose our joy because we have stopped stepping out. But joy grows when we serve others, when we make a difference, when we remember we are part of something eternal. Whether it is helping a neighbor, inviting someone to church, or encouraging a friend, your yes to God's mission leads to a joy that cannot be shaken.
So if joy really does have a look, then let’s be the kind of believers who wear it well. Not forced, not fake but full, real, and rooted in Jesus. Let it show in your words, your attitude, and even your face.
Jesus, I do not just want to believe. I want to believe with joy. Help me live with enthusiasm and let it show. Bring joy back into the way I think, speak, serve, and even how I show up to everyday moments. Let my life reflect You clearly—because joy has a look, and I want to wear it well. Amen.
Make it Personal:
When people see me, do they see someone marked by joy or weighed down by pressure?
Have I been prioritizing time with Jesus, or just trying to push through on my own?
What is one area of my life where I need to let joy show at home, at work, or in my attitude?
