I’ve been thinking about what it means to enjoy life and started to write about it, when I realized I was basically rewriting a
previous post.
So, instead of trying to rework it, I’ve decided to share the original post…
Joy and
Happiness (First posted on January 6, 2012)
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1:2-4 NLT)
My
natural question is – How can I be happy when trouble comes my way? Whether
through my own actions or those of another, how can I be joyful through
unemployment, illness, loss of a loved one, divorce, and so many other issues
we deal with today?
I have
spent quite a bit of time thinking about joy and happiness over the past couple
of years, and I think it comes down to this... Joy and happiness are not the
same.
Joy comes
from knowing the Lord and having a personal relationship with Him.
Joy is not dependent on our circumstances or the people in our life. It is the deep feeling of contentment in knowing Christ walks beside us every day – through trials, disappointments, and sorrows.
Joy is not dependent on our circumstances or the people in our life. It is the deep feeling of contentment in knowing Christ walks beside us every day – through trials, disappointments, and sorrows.
Happiness
is dependent on others and life around us. Happiness can be temporary. When
things are going well, I feel happy. When life throws me a curve ball, my
happiness turns to disappointment, frustration, anger, and sadness.
Life
changing situations that cause me unhappiness are the very times my faith and
relationship with God can grow deeper and stronger through my dependence on
Him.
I can be
happy and joyful at the same time, but when something or someone makes me
unhappy in my everyday life, my joy still comes from knowing God won’t ever
leave me.
His love and desire for a relationship with me is forever, no matter what. He stays and gets me through the unhappiness.
He can use any situation, happy or otherwise, to prepare me for what He has planned for my future. The knowledge that God wants to refine me and prepare me for the future brings me joy and hope.
His love and desire for a relationship with me is forever, no matter what. He stays and gets me through the unhappiness.
He can use any situation, happy or otherwise, to prepare me for what He has planned for my future. The knowledge that God wants to refine me and prepare me for the future brings me joy and hope.
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4 NLT
What does it mean to you to enjoy life?
In Christ,
Laura
Linking up with Winsome Wednesday, Thought Provoking Thursday, Faith Filled Friday, and The Weekend Brew.
I really have appreciated Chapter three, Laura! Just good points...
ReplyDeleteI spent many years in my life coming to understand the difference between JOY and happiness. I am so thankful that the JOY of the Lord is my strength, and that no matter how I am feeling, His joy is in me and I can choose to live in it!
ReplyDeleteWe are in a season of life right now when we are choosing joy even when we are not necessarily happy with the external circumstances. I think it takes faith to hold on to the joy that God gives us. There have been many nights of unhappy tears but holding on the the joy and the promise that God has a plan :) Great reminder today! Thank you for sharing.
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