Happiness is a strange concept, everyone is striving for it but it seems very few find it. Or at least few can hold on to it for any length of time. There are books and T.V. programmes and 'experts' telling us the secret to happiness and even the American Constitution has the 'Pursuit of Happyness' at it's core.So what is it? Beats me. Don't get me wrong, I'm a happy sort of person (although I'm prone to bouts of grumpiness, frustration and anxiety too), but I have never experienced a happy feeling for a prolonged period without one of those other pesky emotions getting in the way.
Joy,on the other hand, is entirely achievable. Joy is easy. Joy doesn't rely on the happy feelings, in fact joy can be experienced in the darkest of times. To be joyful means to be content in the fact (not just the feeling) that you are in the right place doing the right thing. Even if that thing is desparately sad or extremely perilous.
A friend of mine who passed away recently, Mina Mudd, was full of joy. Even in the face of illness and death she never once lost sight of her hope in Jesus. She knew, knew, that she was sustained by God and He was working things out in her life just how He wanted them. At times she was happy, no doubt about that but she was always joyful. I will miss Mina, many people will.This joy is only available from one person, Jesus Christ. In summery, don't worry, be joyful.
'I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.' John 17:13
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Here's a band that express their joy in the Lord very well. This song in particular will leave you felling up beat (I hope). Others they write will encourage you with their words and I recommend you check those out too. This song however, expresses well the emotion of knowing you are sustained by God. I hope you enjoy it.
Rend Collective experiment; Movements.
Joy is a great thing, much different that happiness, but much more rewarding when you've got it.
ReplyDeleteGood job Phil I look forward to reading every blog. Certainly is true that joy is much more rewarding than happiness. And a great example of joy in Mina. Keep up the good work
ReplyDeleteGareth
Remember the moment we first heard Rend Collective Experiment live?! ;)I'm very proud of you and this work you are doing.Just want to thank you for your encouragement and for forcing me to take a much needed break today! What a comfort it is to have such a hope in Jesus.. To know He will be there through the tough times.. Keep blogging.. :)
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