Looking for Joy in All the Wrong Places

I recently learned of a program called “Strength Through Joy.” What a great name, right? I can make a great argument for the truth that there is strength in joy—and I will make that argument—but first let me tell you about the program labeled “Strength Through Joy.”

Let’s begin with a couple of points worth noting:

“Strength Though Joy” was set up by the Nazi party.
Adolf Hitler endorsed it.

Joy is not something typically associated with the Nazis. Based on the majority of war movies I’ve seen, the Nazis had two principal hobbies: scowling and shouting. Not much joy in that. But the Nazis thought if they could give the common folk something to be happy about, something to give them joy, they would equate that joy with the Nazi party. Why be a dissident if the group you might protest against is bringing you such joy? If the people are kept busy with activities, there would be no free time to protest or oppose those in charge. This would make a more powerful, stronger Germany. Hence, strength through joy. That was the plan.

Did it work? I don’t know if the people were giddy with joy, but they were kept busy with activities. Fun activities.

How fun was it? The Nazi program arranged theatre trips, summer holidays, skiing holidays, summer hikes, winter hikes, cruises, and a full array of outdoors activities. What if you lived in the country away from all the fun stuff? Not a problem. The Strength Through Joy program made trains available for country folk to get into a city to watch theatre performances.

The 30 million Germans who signed on to the program were certainly kept busy. All their free time seemed to be eaten up, but the joy was absent. The Germans may have had activities to consume their free time, but it wasn’t really free time. These activities become compulsory. It was compulsory, and that was partly what sapped the joy out of it. It’s like the dad yelling at his kids as they visit another lame roadside attraction while on vacation. “YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE FUN—EVEN IF IT KIILS YOU!”

For the Germans, it could kill them. Because participation in the program became compulsory, those who didn’t want to join in were considered dissidents. They obviously didn’t like the government and were considered a threat. So, one way or another, you were going to camp. You could go to summer camp with the Nazis, or you could go to a concentration camp.

It’s hard to find joy when the program carries an unwritten mantra: Enjoy this … or else.

To be sure, there is strength in joy, provided you’re looking to the right source of joy. The Nazis wanted their citizens to look to the government (and ultimately to Hitler) to find their joy, but joy can’t be forced. Nor can joy be derived from something so superficial or threatening. You can’t force joy.

On the other, joy arises naturally when we realize all God has done for us. He shows mercy by not giving us what we deserve, and He shows grace by giving us what we don’t deserve. Forgiveness. Hope. Security. A future. Christ has provided all this for us—and so much more!

“You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures” (Ps. 16:11).

“I will trust him and not be afraid, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my song” (Isa. 12:2).

No person can give us such joy because no person can do what Christ has done for us. Fun activities and programs come and go, but the joy we experience at God’s hand is constant and unwavering. And that joy gives us strength!

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13).

Catch the beauty of those words. God gives us joy, and when we walk in that joy—His joy!—we are in a position to be filled and empowered by His Holy Spirit. And there is no greater strength in our lives than the power of God’s Spirit in us!

So whether you’re looking to some external program like the Nazis offered or some person to fill a void in your life, know this: true joy only comes from trusting Christ. And when you rest joyfully in Him, strength will follow.