I feel like I am intersecting (or cutting in on) those who are doing Margaret Feinberg’s book on Joy! 🙂 For more on that see Jason.
It is almost a given any more that most people know the difference between happiness and joy. Refresher time: Happiness depends on circumstances; Joy is in spite of the circumstances. To quote Bobby: “Happiness has to do with what’s happening to us, while joy is grounded in God’s Word, what He has done for us, and our anticipation of Christ’s glorious return.” (p.89)
Too many people, including Christ-followers, are focusing their satisfaction around what makes them happy or “footloose.” If that is the case we will all come up empty and dry. I have read of too many who have attained and obtained and said, “Is this all there is?”
Joy is also the emotion, the state of mind, which allows a person wracked with pain or wallowing in ugly circumstances to say, “I know whom I have believed.” Joy can transform the way we think, act or even speak. I’m not going to lie to you: I used to be one who complained about his lot in life. Why can’t I? How come I? Why not me? You can finish those sentences. I’m not sure when it hit me-but hit me it did-that I was determining my response by my attitude. Instead of “counting it all joy” (James 1: 2), I was “counting the days.” Instead of living in joy, misery was my company. Then one day I woke up and life changed. I changed. My feelings toward God changed.
And get this! I also found it was contagious. I was always a pretty happy-go-lucky guy but even my preaching took on a whole different approach. I think some of that was because I began to enjoy God. Find your delight in God and people will notice.
What are your thoughts? How do you handle “down times?” Are you a joyful person?
I am definitely not a joyful person. I am not sure that I ever have been. I think that in retrospect, my determination and ambition for finishing whatever job was at hand and looking ahead to whatever job was next kept me too focused to ever even think about happiness or joy.
I suspect you had it but didn’t realize it.
I consider myself to be pretty stable, I don’t get crazy happy very often and I don’t get down that often. For me when I do get down it’s often because I’m just overworked and need to take a break, get some exercise, let my spirit relax, spend some time with God and my family.
Nose to the grindstone can steal that “joyful” feeling. Glad you take breaks.
I figure circumstances come and go. He is who is always consistent.
Amen on that larry.
Totally agree with this blog post. We are all so susceptible to the lies of the enemy (probably b/c our human nature is inclined to believe the lie that circumstances dictate success/satisfaction). I have succumb to these lies many times. But I’ve also realized that so did Paul(2 Cor. 1:8), so did Jeremiah (Jer. 20:7ff). So I guess I’m in good company. I’m looking at it as God is leading me to be a joyful person. He’s just not even close to done changing me.
I’d say you are in very good company Steve. 🙂 I’m not close either.
Good one. I too came to the point of realizing that it’s all about perspective and we can determine ours via the under valued power and gift of free will from our Father.
You’ve heard me say this too many times, but here it goes again! “Trying to find peace and joy from outside ourselves is like trying to drown a fish.”
I have heard you say it and will say it again; I agree. 🙂
Last week the phrase “craving God” was used, this week you used the phrase “delight in God”, unfortunately, I don’t do either of these very well. I guess, if I’m honest with myself, that would mean I’m not a very joyful person.
At the same time though, I don’t dwell on the negative either. But I definitely tend to move with the emotional tide of my current circumstances, “ride the wave” so to speak.
I need to find that bus called “joy” and quit getting off it so often …
I think the ride is a slow one David. God knows we will ride for awhile and decide to disembark and then run to catch up (I’m thinking of the boy in Polar Express who has to have the train stopped for him). Never stop seeking.
Coincidentally, Bill, my blog which will post Friday addresses this very question regarding joy. Knowing we can still have/find joy with the Lord in the hardest of circumstances is definitely a life-changer! Blessings!
Absolutely Martha. Look forward to reading it.
Hi Bill,
I don’t know how well I fit into the Joy vs Happiness argument. I’m not sure how a person who has inner joy would not also appear to be pretty happy. I definitely agree that true joy comes from our belief in Christ. But Cindy and I also like this book called Happiness is a Serious Problem by Dennis Prager (this is not a political book although he is a radio talk show host).
http://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Is-Serious-Problem-Nature/dp/0060987359
There is some really good stuff in this book. It doesn’t line up 100% with my beliefs but its extremely insightful. Cindy has even used it as a book study for a couple of small groups.
I guess I’m thinking more of the person, DJ, who thinks he has everything and is totally miserable. Joy is in spite of that and, as you state, comes from our belief in Christ. Thanks for the book recommendation. I’ll check it out.
Yes, Bill! Joy absolutely can transform the way we live. Love this post.
WOW Margaret! I’m honored you would visit here. Thanks!
Joy will transform your life. If you keep waiting for ‘happiness’ – can someone please define happiness, it is everchanging – you will waste your life. I wasn’t a joyful person before my surgery and illness/autoimmune diagnosis, but God met me right there in the middle of it and I was not afraid even as I watched things fall apart. Joy is felt from the inside out regardless of circumstances.
People living with joy can be felt by others and have the ability to transform by their actions and way of life because people want what they have. What they have is Christ in their life.
By the sound of it I should have had you guest post this one Kim. Your experience speaks so much louder. You are a testimony to the power of Joy, as is Margaret. Thanks for sharing part of your story.
Thanks for the mention, Bill. 🙂 Joy is so beautiful and so important to our lives. I’m learning a lot and a lot is being confirmed. Joy is a fruit of life in the Spirit! We aren’t expected to live without it, but we have to make room for it. Great thoughts here. Thank you!
You’re welcome Jason. I may not always comment on your “Joy” posts but i do read them. 🙂 It is definitely a learning experience following Jesus.