28 May Happiness, Joy, Or All The Above

In a study that was done in asking people what they want from life,
the most common answer was,
“I JUST WANT TO BE HAPPY.”

Some years back, I wanted this same thing.
It was up and down and my emotions followed.
When things and circumstances were right, I was happy.
But any time any resistance came at me,
I was one of the many emotions…
Angry, stressed, frustrated, depressed, anxious etc..

Then one day I felt as if I had hit my BREAKING POINT! I was tired of it!
In seeking the Lord on it, he showed me a vision of myself and I was dancing, singing and laughing in the rain with an umbrella over my head.

PLEASE GOD!!! Was my heart’s cry.

I have always believed that when the Lord shows you something or bring something to your attention through the Holy Spirit, he then enables you to go forth, so I was really excited about what he had shown me.

Two things went wrong in my pursuit…
The first thing was, as I searched the Scriptures in the area of happiness/joy,
My perception (the lie) was that,
“I am to be happy NO MATTER what I’m going through.”
(Note to self, EXHAUSTING! )
So through my flesh, I would strive and strain to put on a great attitude, whether I was feeling it or not.
(yes we are responsible for our attitude, but this is not true Joy)

Believing and hoping that God would reward my obedience to his Word
and change my heart and perspective
so that I could live out, what he had shown me.
(My motive was obedience)

Then the Lord showed me the power of renewing your mind.
Oh my goodness this is so important!
Good and God thoughts = HAPPY!
bad and unrenewed mind = BAD!

BUT THEN… through the excitement I was experiencing in life,
the fruit in what I was seeing and experiencing,
the intimacy with God that was so beautiful, plus renewing my mind and knowing the truth.
I was literally on top of the world!!
AND THRU MY EXCITEMENT, I said Lord, bring me deeper and show me more!!!

Yesterday as He began to open my eyes to the second thing that was wrong, i discovered this…
When the Bible refers to joy, it does not mean happiness.

In conclusion, as i strived and strained for the smile, God had been doing something deeper. Something greater than happiness because Joy is not a result of a smile on my face but my connection (something that happens on the inside) with Him during and thru the hardships.

This is why study can be vital…
And through the study on both of them (joy and happiness), this is what I learned thru the writing of others, on this same topic…
———–
Jesus was not always happy in every circumstance
(angry at the temple, wept at the tomb of Lazarus, drops of blood in the garden)

Happiness is external, depended upon events, people, places, things and thoughts.
True joy is what God gives you in the midst of trouble. When you put that trouble in God’s hands.

This is why, when our circumstances are good, we are in a good mood but when our circumstances are upside down, our mood changes.
Joy is trusting God, by faith, and thru past experiences with him (foundation)
And trusting that our suffering is serving a purpose.

Happiness says, I am happy because of..
Joy says, I have joy in spite of….

Joy is not getting rid of the problem, but the fear of your problem.

Paul does not say be happy, but rejoice.
(Joy comes from the root word, rejoice)

Happiness is when nothing is wrong and everything is on course.
Joy comes from seeing through God’s eyes and from having and sensing the peace of God.

People claim that they will be happy when, this or that changes…
But what they are most after is Joy, which comes through God.

In the search of happiness, focuses on us.
In the search of joy, focuses on Him.

In the song, “don’t worry be happy”
It suggests that happiness can be invoked by an act of the will.
(Something I learned the hard way)

Psychologist say that chronic unhappiness leads to despair and depression.
(Disappointment and un-met expectations)

Joy cannot be bought or dependent on someone or something.

Joy comes when you make peace with who you are, why you are and where you are!

Joy is an experience that connects us to that which is greater than we are.

If we are willing to Give up the pursuit of happiness, we may find joy.
Remind me of, “lose your life” verse.

Happiness is an individual’s perception.

Joy comes when we totally surrender to God and live life led by the Holy Spirit.

Praying for you on your pursuit, that you would find Joy, real joy..
and that the Holy Spirit would make himself very real to you, thru your circumstances.
Deeper places, deeper connection.
That your eyes and ears would be opened to Him and the beautiful plan He has for your life.
That you would enjoy Him as He delights in you
and that as you wrap yourself up in Him, you would fall in love with the One who greater than life itself.