I’m happy when I’m laughing and grinning from ear to ear. I’m happy when my smile runs deep. I’m happy when I’m cheerful and glad. I’m happy, but am I joyful? The other side of the spectrum is unhappiness. When I’m unhappy, I often forget that I’m joyful. What? That makes absolutely no sense. Ah, but it does...
Happiness depends on what’s going on in my life. Happiness relies on how I view circumstances in my life. Happiness is contingent on my thoughts and/or feelings about my life. Happiness is conditional on...on...well, on me.
However, Joy is a gift from God. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Joy is Jesus in my heart. Joy is greater than whatever is happening in my life. Joy is strong. Joy lifts me up – high above any sadness, doubt, confusion, difficulty, loneliness, pain, failure, loss, fear, disappointment, challenge, anxiety, depression, anger, or sorrow. Yes, Joy is powerful!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 NAS
No matter what, I have joy in my life. I have joy because I know where my joy comes from. I have joy because I know Who is in control of my life. I have joy because He loves me. I have joy because He has a plan for my life. I have joy because He has given me hope in my life. I have joy because he has a future for my life.
'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NAS
At the moment, I'm very chilly. Outside, it's 24 degrees F. Inside, it's...chilly. I'm achy. I don't feel like doing anything. There are loads of laundry to do. I should be in the kitchen figuring out something for dinner. Oh well, the heating pad on the couch is calling me. At the moment, I'm not very happy.
But, none of that matters. I have JOY!
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