More than a Feeling
In a recent interview with Family Life Radio, Christian singer-songwriter Joseph O’Brien shared his thoughts on joy, gratitude, and faith
For Joseph, joy is more than a fleeting emotion; it is a profound state of being that stems from recognizing and appreciating God’s blessings. “Joy goes so much deeper. It’s actually theologically rich as a topic because joyfulness is always preceded by gratefulness.”
Lessons from Job
Joseph mentions the story of Job, a biblical figure who faced immense suffering and loss. Job lost all of these things: worldly possessions, most of his family, his kids, his physical health. And after all of that, his wife is like, ‘Curse God and die.’ And he looks at her and says, ‘How could I curse God and die?’ Then he falls on his face and worships God, and says, ‘Blessed is the God who gives and takes away.’”
Joseph believes joy is available to all believers. “Joy goes deeper than just a feeling. It’s recognizing that if you are a child of God. You’ve been saved from destruction. You’ve been saved from so many things, [even] your own sin. So anything could happen… I could have no voice, no songs to sing, but if I have Jesus, I always have a reason to be joyful.”
Joy is a choice, not just an emotion.
Joy is rooted in the assurance of God’s love and salvation, providing a constant source of strength and contentment, regardless of external circumstances.
Social Media as a Tool for Faith
In addition to discussing the theological underpinnings of his music, Joseph also addressed the role of social media in spreading the gospel. “Social media has given us a platform, good and bad, but bringing up some real champions for Christ who are able to spur other people on to holiness and how to follow Jesus better in their daily lives.”
He shared his own experiences of using social media to connect with followers and share uplifting content. “One way that I feel like I’ve been able to utilize social media is making content that reminds people of their childhood like, let’s talk about VeggieTales… making remixes of those or just making songs that all of us remember as kids.” By tapping into nostalgic memories, Joseph fosters a sense of community and shared faith, using familiar and beloved references to draw people closer to God.
Joseph also highlighted the success stories of other Christian artists who have leveraged social media to expand their reach. “Katy Nicole, she blew up on TikTok… she has just this incredible career and story that because of social media, she’s gone places that you would have never dreamed.”
Social media is a tool for ministry for Joseph, allowing believers to spread the gospel far and wide. “It’s a wide place… you can spread the gospel to so many different places… there’s ways to sanctify it.”
Practical Applications for Christ Followers
Joseph’s insights offer us some valuable lessons. Here are some practical applications drawn from his interview:
- Choose Joy Daily: Embrace the mindset that joy is a choice, rooted in gratitude and faith. Reflect on the blessings and salvation God has provided, even in difficult times.
- Use Social Media for Good: Utilize social media to share your faith story and inspire others. Create and share content that uplifts and encourages, reminding others of God’s love and faithfulness.
- Find Inspiration in Scripture: Let biblical stories like Job’s journey inspire your faith. Recognize that true joy comes from a deep relationship with God, beyond external circumstances.
- Connect Through Shared Memories: Use nostalgic references and shared experiences to build a sense of community and connection with others. Remind people of the joy and hope found in Christ.
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