Choice of Joy

I struggle….sometimes…

with Joy.

I am just going to admit it. I talked to a wonderful young lady the other day who is a strong believer and admitted my problem. She sighed….”me too”.

She seemed actually relieved to know that this old woman struggled with that somedays too. And we both realized that half the battle was admitting it, exposing it to the light and not feeling guilty about it.

Joy is not a giddy emotion. It is not really being “happy” or “content”. It is being full of the realization that you are born again and that all the things that you experience in this world that are negative do not affect who you are in Christ.

JOY defined – the inner attitude of rejoicing in one’s salvation regardless of outward circumstances. One of the fruits of a right relationship with God.

As I studied the scriptures I cannot help but wonder if am confusing “joy” with “happiness”? No, I am not happy all the time. But yes, whether I show it outwardly or not, I am full of “joy”. So the issue comes not in feeling” “joyful”, but in manifesting it in my life.

I must CHOOSE joy. Live in it. Be in it.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:4

“For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done. How great are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts! Psalm 92:4-5

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

Philippians 2:19-20 “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.”

Happiness is a temporary feeling, based upon circumstances. Joy is what we know to be true…to be ours. We can experience HIS joy when we know it is not based on what we do…but on what HE has already done.

I keep humming that song I once learned as a little girl….”I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart….”

Don’t be moved….plant your feet…dig in…to the JOY.

Maybe my friend and I don’t struggle with it after all…..

~Be Blessed

IN CHRIST ALONE