Websters Dictionary defines the word Joy as a feeling or source of great bliss or delight. When I think about happiness and Joy some additional thoughts come to mind. Happiness is temporary and will meet our surface needs. If you are captive to living your life in happiness from one circumstance to the next, you probably feel like a prisoner and have a very empty feeling because this emotion is not meant for depth. JOY on the other hand is a character builder and its home is on the inside of our heart.
James 1:2 says “Count it all JOY, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ” I love how James does not say IF you encounter trials, but rather WHEN you face trials. He knows we will have them and it is possible to come through them stronger with CHRIST leading us through, and if we have the right attitude. The point is not to pretend to be happy when we face pain or when we are walking through any trial in our life, but to face it with a positive outlook. Don’t let your JOY be robbed.
Sometimes this is easier said then done. You may be asking yourself…What can I do to keep my JOY from getting robbed daily?
- Prayer. Start your day in prayer. Ask God to help you in this area of your life and any other areas of your life.
- Read Gods Word. If you don’t have something you are reading at the present time, I want to encourage you to read a Psalm a day.
- Listen to Worship music. If you don’t know where to go, you can start on Pandora and in the search bar type in Christian Worship Music.
- Get involved in a church. It is so important to connect with other believers so you can do life together. If you don’t know where to go please email me and I will help you find a church in your area.
- Prayer. End your day in prayer. Talk to God about anything and everything. He knows it all, but it is so important that we grow deeper in love with our first love.
We are all either going through a trial, just coming out of a trial or about to go through a trial. It is so important to keep persevering one step at a time in the realness of life. Webster nailed it, the source of JOY is CHRIST. It’s the only way I can ever go through the trials and have the JOY and peace because it comes from HIM and HIM alone. For where I am weak, HE is strong, EVERY TIME! (2 Cor 12:10 b).
Sharon Piccari says
April 16, 2015 at 8:57 amReal JOY only comes fro Christ. Happiness comes and goes with our emotions…YOU nailed it. Keep up sharing Your thoughts with women who draw strength from Your BLOG.
Lisa says
April 22, 2015 at 9:46 pmYes, and AMEN! May the JOY of the Lord be our strength in every season!