I wrote this during the Christmas season and lost it so I’m writing again...
Joy, joy, joy. You know how sometimes over the course of a week or two or maybe a few months you all of a sudden see or hear the same word many times and it gets your attention? When that happens to me I believe it’s the Lord speaking directly to me. This time is the word Joy. It reminded me when I was little in Sunday School and summer vacation Bible school we would sing a song…”I got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart…Where? Down in my heart! I got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart to stay!” That song has stuck with me throughout the years. I never knew how much of an impact those few simple words would mean to me until my adult days. Some people think joy is happiness. But they’re different. Although Joy often alines with the feeling of happiness, it is not one in the same. You see...Joy is a deeper feeling, an everlasting presence of peace. In fact, it’s a little hard to describe to be honest unless you’ve experienced it yourself. Joy is different than happiness in that it is not fleeting. A bouquet of roses may make one happy but they don’t last forever. A brand new car or boat or house may give you an exhilaration of happiness but it may be short lived. Joy however can be had in sickness or in health...in times of poor or wealth. Joy is 1000 times more incredible and lasting than a moment of happiness. How does one experience true Joy? Through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Have you ever looked up the definition of Joy? In verb form, it says Rejoice. To rejoice means to be happy no matter what situation we are in. To me Joy equals Jesus, an everlasting peace, an eternal happiness, a choice not just a feeling. As you go along in your days, I encourage you to daily Choose Joy.
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.Psalm 118:24
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 15:11
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23