JOY AND HAPPINESS
There is a distinct difference
between JOY and HAPPINESS.
HAPPINESS is situational.
Typically, you feel happy because of something that has occurred. For example,
you might have received a compliment, a gift, a promotion, or an introduction
to someone special – which causes you to break out into your HAPPY DANCE!
JOY is a profoundly different
phenomenon. The Word decrees that “the joy of the Lord is my strength”
and “with joy (we) draw water from the wells of
salvation.” Furthermore, it advises us to “count it all joy” when
encountering challenges or opposition. This is not some superficial
suggestion that we maintain a vague happy feeling or smiley face in the midst
of problematic situations. (Nehemiah 8:10 – Isaiah12:3 – James 1:2-3) The maintenance of joy requires a degree of
personal and spiritual effort.
Here’s what the Holy Spirit has
revealed to me concerning 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. Based on CONFIDENCE in the COVENANT PROMISES OF GOD, we maintain
FULL FAITH that HE will come through for us – no matter what we are presently
experiencing. (Hebrews 10:35) To wit, JOY and PEACE are derivatives of
DIVINE ASSURANCE.
Allow me to be transparent. 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 pain or sorrow, SPIRIT BREATHED JOY enables us 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 YOUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
No comments:
Post a Comment