Where's the Joy?

By Andrea Merrell

Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV

 

We hear songs about joy being “unspeakable and full of glory” and peace that takes place “in the midst of a storm.” But how can that be?

 

For years I searched for peace and happiness, but my circumstances never lined up to produce what I needed. I would be content and at peace one moment and fall apart the next as soon as something went wrong. It was like living on a seesaw.

“Christians should be the most joyful people on the planet,” came from the pulpit and the radio station. I agreed but couldn’t find a way to maintain it.

That’s when God showed me the difference between happiness and joy.

Happiness is deceptive. Fleeting. It depends on what is going on around us. It can come and go as fast as a hummingbird looking for food.

Joy, on the other hand, comes from inside. And it comes from the Lord. As Sarah Young puts it in Jesus Calling:

Knowing me intimately is like having a private wellspring of joy within you. this spring flows freely from My throne of grace, so your joy is independent of circumstances. ~Jesus

How wonderful to know that the Lord fills us with His very own love, peace, and joy. They’re ours. Gifts not to be taken for granted.

In this midst of this difficult time, don't despair or be afraid. The joy of the Lord is your strength. Ask Him to fill you to overflowing.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.)

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Happiness is deceptive and fleeting, but joy comes from the Lord. via@AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

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Where's the Joy

By Andrea Merrell

“There’s no bigger turnoff to non-Christians than a sour-faced, gloomy-gus Christian,” my pastor said. He was referring to the total and complete lack of joy that should be clearly evident in the life of every child of God.

His words made me think about how many people I’ve met over the years who fit into that category. Then, those thoughts caused me to delve a little deeper, and I wondered how many times I may have come across as a joy-less Christian myself.

We all have problems, and tough times are just that—tough. Yet, the Bible instructs us to rejoice—always—in all circumstances—no matter what. That’s a tall order until we realize joy is a gift from God. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and does not depend upon our surroundings the way happiness does.

I learned early-on that happiness is gauged by what goes on around me. Since situations and circumstances are in a constant state of change, so are emotions. It’s possible to be blissfully happy one minute and depressed the next. It’s like being on an emotional roller coaster.

The good news is this: we have a choice. Just like anything else in God’s kingdom (giving, serving, offering forgiveness, sharing the gospel) we can embrace God’s gifts and walk in them, regardless of the cares of this life. We can rejoice in the midst of chaos and adverse situations because of hope—Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Today, choose joy and shine the light on all those around you.

(Photos courtesy of morguefile.com.)

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Are you a joy-full or a joy-less Christian? via @AndreaMerrell (Click to Tweet.) 

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