When our kids were much younger, they loved playing at the nearby playground. Sometimes it was hard to make them leave, especially when they were so engrossed in whatever they were up to. Until I came up with this parenting hack. I asked, “Who wants ice cream?” Within seconds, they dropped everything and came scurrying my way, squealing with joy.

From their point of view, I had replaced the joy of the playground with a ‘far superior’ joy of ice cream. But that is how many of us operate in life. Our joy is often rooted in favourable outcomes, rather than in God’s presence. Paul writes in Gal 5:22, “The fruit of the Spirt is … joy.” This is a Spirit-wrought happiness anchored in God’s character, word, promises, and actions—including the ones that have not necessarily have changed our circumstances. Yes, even when circumstances have turned worse than we expected.

The Spirit brings about a joy that is not controlled by our circumstances, a joy that cannot be taken away. We see it embodied in Jesus, who “for the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:2). Nothing about the brutality of the crucifixion spells joy. But Jesus saw it as a gateway to a far superior joy: being reunited with His heavenly Father along with the people He redeemed. His joy now becomes our joy.

As you go on your daily activities, whether at home or at work, reflect: What is my deepest joy based on? Is it on the changing circumstances of life? Or on the unchanging character, word, and presence of God?

This devotion is sent weekly to staff during school terms. It has been lightly edited for a general audience.