Joy is not the same as happiness.
Happiness comes and goes just as waves hitting the shore. It isn’t something we can cling to when we’ve experienced a loss.
Oh but joy – it can stay with us for the long haul, simply because – real joy is from God.
For us who believe, it’s like a bottomless well of water – always with an abundant supply, Even in the darkest days when sadness, grief and loss threaten to overwhelm us – His joy is there.
And friends, we need to understand straight up – His joy cannot be taken away.
We may think it’s gone, that it’s been snatched away – but it’s not – we are promised His constant presence and we’re promised His joy.
So- it’s time to stop wallowing, whining and complaining and time to grab onto that joy. Just like salvation, joy is a free and perfect gift from Him that we must reach out and accept, and yes – grab hold of it like a lifeline.
Always choosing joy over bitterness, anger and sorrow – no matter what – each day we must make a conscious decision to choose joy.
Be Joyful
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11