July 1, 2020 –
Joy: what we have after we quit chasing happiness.
When we experience happiness, our mind is responding to external factors that please us. For instance, eating ice cream, buying a recent article of clothing, taking an afternoon nap, or viewing a sunset may bring happiness; it is short-lived happiness. To continue to be happy, we must eat more ice-cream, buy additional clothing, take another nap, and see the next sunset. Happiness is caused by things outside of your mind and body, over which we have little to no control.
Joy lives in the heart where it is immune to external circumstances. Joy is a characteristic of a person at peace with themselves and has the right relationship with God. Joy is bestowed on us as we actively engage in loving God and our neighbor.
The joyful person sees the opportunity in every difficulty. If you accept the reality of the situation and determine to make the best of it, you respond joyfully, and things naturally get better.
Once you replace the desire for happiness with a need for joy, you’ll achieve peace. Joy hinges on your relationship with God. Never give up on being joyful. Remind yourself daily to enjoy God’s grace and mercy.
A person whose heart is controlled by joy, love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, and compounds them into one undefeatable package is a joyful person.
Happiness is about self-pleasure, while we derive joy from knowing all is well with my soul.