So many times we believe that we can only experience one thing at a time. That is true of us. We can only handle being stressed through stressful times. We can only handle being angry when we're mad. We can only handle being sad in sorrowful times. Add one more thing on top of that and we'll just burst! We'll go over the edge. But when we have Christ as the center of our lives, we don't have to carry the load. It doesn't mean we don't ever experience these emotions ever again, it just means we have a hope in our future with Him. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." It goes on to say in verse 12, "Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." We have a God who will hear all our hurts, our pains, our sorrows, everything that we are going through. He will give us a peace and Joy that will carry us through each and every trial.
I can guarantee that all of us have experience problems and pain in our lives. But I can't guarantee that we all have experienced the Joy and peace that God offers during those times.God goes before us, He follows us and He places His hand of blessing on our heads (see Psalm 139:5.) Joy... because happiness is not enough!
I looked up the definitions of Joy and happiness. Here's what I found...
Joy: the emotion evoked by well being. (evoked-to call forth; to bring to mind)
happiness: a pleasurable or satisfying experience *Webster describes "happy" as 'favored by luck'
What is Joy? God's Truth. What He has already done for you in your life. It's different for each of us but we each have a joyous moment we can bring forth in our mind...a joyous time that God blessed us with. And if we give it enough time, I'm sure we can bring forth a few more times that were quite joyful in our lives. In case your mind is too jammed with all the mess of your trials, refer to Scripture starting with John 3:16. That is a Joyful time that Christ gave His life for you and for me that we can spend eternity with Him. That He took on all our sins and paid our penalty so that we would not perish. Praise you, Jesus!! This is solid. That is secure. Joy does not waiver. Joy...because happiness is not enough!
What is happiness? Happiness is an emotion that comes whenever we experience a pleasurable or satisfying experience. It waivers. It is not solid. Not secure. I found it interesting that in the dictionary under the word happy was the word luck. We don't serve a God of luck. God is Absolute, Conclusive, Infinite, Complete, Upstanding, Firm, Strong, Worthy, Concrete, Massive, Sound, Supreme, Sovereign and so much more than my minuet brain can think of. Happiness is temporary...it all depends on our pleasurable or satisfying events. We most certainly CAN NOT experience happiness as we are in our trials, it's like oil and water. But we most certainly CAN have Joy in the midst of our trials all because of Christ.
Joy is lasting. It doesn't replace what we are going through or what we are experiencing. Joy is just choosing to leave it all at the feet of Jesus - believing and trusting Him to see us through it. Allowing Him to transform us according to His Will for our lives. Seeking Him and praising Him through each moment as tough as some of them may be. Then calling forth times He has brought Joy in our life so many times before. Remembering times He has brought us out of some deep dark mirery pits. Joy and Trials can run parallel just as long as we keep our faith in Him trusting Him each step of the way!! John 15:11 says, "I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy."
Here's a few more Scriptures on Joy:
"My soul will find joy in the Lord and be joyful about his salvation." Psalm 35:9
"Worship the Lord with joy! Enter his presence with joyful singing." Psalms 100:2
"You have changed my sadness into a joyful dance; you have taken away my sorrow and surrounded me with joy." Psalm 30:11
"They find joy in your name all day long. They are joyful in your righteousness..." Psalm 89:16
JOY...because happiness is not enough!
Be blessed and take care,
Christy Krezman
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