“You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” -Psalm 16:11
It seems like everyone is looking for happiness. We hear about it all the time: Do whatever makes you happy. The best time to be happy is now. Find happiness within yourself. Happy wife, happy life. Happiness is contagious. Etc, etc, etc.
If it’s that simple, why do we have increasing numbers of people struggling with depression and anxiety each year?
Perhaps what we’re really searching for is not happiness, but JOY.
Happiness is a fleeting emotion, based on circumstances. I might be happy one minute, because everything is going my way, and then sad the next because I hear some bad news or someone says something that upsets me. Joy, on the other hand, is not based on circumstances. It’s a fruit of the Spirit, developed within Christ-followers as we spend time in God’s presence. Joy is an inner contentment and peace that we can possess, regardless of the difficulty we may be enduring. Even when the doctor calls and the test results are not good. Even when the wayward child continues to make poor decisions. Even when a loved one dies. Even when the storms of life are raging, we can have joy! It’s an assurance that God is in control and working all things for good. It’s a benefit of being under the care of the Good Shepherd and trusting Him in all things.
We find joy by spending time in the presence of our Savior. So let me encourage you today…. Set your alarm and get up 30 minutes earlier. Make better use of your lunch break or your drive into work. Whatever you need to do to have a few minutes alone with God, do it!! It’s worth it! Talk to Him. Sing to Him. Cry out to Him. Cling to Him. Then listen to Him through the Word He’s given us:
Nehemiah 8:10 “For the JOY of the Lord is your strength.”
Psalm 30:5 “Weeping may endure for the night, but JOY comes in the morning!”
Psalm 94:19 “When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me JOY!”
Psalm 119:111 “Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the JOY of my heart.”
Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all JOY and peace as you trust in Him..”
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
1 Peter 1:8 “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious JOY.”
I’m proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone! Your abilities to encourage others are God given and He will bless this blog!
I love this so much. Absolutely true. I have experienced joy during hard times in my life, because I know He works all things for our good. I can look back and see the good that came from the hard. God is good!
Thank you Amy for following His calling to encourage you to share this! I must say… Joy is only from my precious Savior Jesus! I have learned over and over that people , possessions and prettiness will NOT give you true joy!
My sweet momma and daddy’s passing gives me Joyful sorrow because I KNOW they are enjoying “the JOY” with Jesus!
You have always been a “joyful sight” to me because I truly see Jesus in you every time!
Love and miss you friend!🩷
Amy, this is so wonderful! Our joy comes from the Lord….I love your blog!! You have such an encouraging heart…..thank you!!
Love,
Momma
Amy,, I loved reading your blog! It’s a blessing from God to all who read your words.
JOY is Gods gracious gift to us and only comes from Him. So many try to find joy in things of this world. That kind of joy is short lived. I pray others read your blog and find the true joy that only God can bring them. Thank you for your encouraging words.
Love,
Aunt Chickie 🩷
Amy this is wonderful. I enjoyed reading it. I want to encourage you to continue. Women need this! We need this coming from you, a godly lady. I know this is from a heart indwelled by The Holy Spirit with knowledge and maturity in Christ! I’m proud of you for stepping out in faith and sharing God’s word this way!
I’ll be in prayer for you.
Oh Amy! I am so glad that you are putting yourself out there! You have a way of being able to listen to people and share the Word of God with them . Joy is something that definitely comes from the Lord.