JOY AND HAPPINESS
There is a distinct difference
between JOY and HAPPINESS.
HAPPINESS is entirely situational. Typically, I feel happy because of something
that has occurred. For example, I might
have received a compliment, a gift, a promotion, or an introduction to someone
special – which causes me to break out into my HAPPY DANCE!
JOY is a very different phenomenon. The Word decrees that “the joy of the Lord is
my strength” and “with joy (I) will draw water from the wells of salvation” and
it further advises me to “count it all joy” when encountering challenges or opposition. This is not some superficial suggestion that
I maintain a happy feeling or a smiley face in the midst of problematic
situations. (Nehemiah 8:10 – Isaiah12:3 –
James 1:2-3)
Here’s what the Holy Spirit revealed
to me about joy. “JOY is the ASSURANCE
that CHRIST is at the CENTER of my CIRCUMSTANCES.” It bears repetition: “JOY is the ASSURANCE
that CHRIST is at the CENTER of my CIRCUMSTANCES.” In that sense, JOY and PEACE are first-cousins. Due to my CONFIDENCE in the covenant promises of God, I maintain FULL
FAITH that HE will come through for me – no matter what I am presently
experiencing. (Hebrews 10:35) To wit, JOY
and PEACE are derivatives of a DIVINE ASSURANCE.
Allow me to be totally transparent
with you. I cannot honestly say that I
am HAPPY all the time. But deep in my
heart, I always maintain a reservoir of
JOY because I know that HE KNOWS, and I know that HE CARES. The famed blind hymn composer, Fanny J.
Crosby, stated it far more eloquently than I.
In her words, JOY is “blessed
assurance that Jesus is mine – oh, what a foretaste of glory divine.” So even in the midst of unimaginable pain and
sorrow, Holy Spirit BREATHED JOY enables
me to SING.
“This is my story, this is my song –
praising my Savior all the day long!”
[“Blessed Assurance” – Fanny J.
Crosby]
Sisters and brothers, be continually
blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON
COMING KING. Maranatha!
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