Say Cheese

Finding Joy in troubling times seems to be a resounding theme in these days we are living in. With so much weight we are carrying, finding joy through it is such an important thing. Books have been written, songs have been sung, blogs have been started, all in the quest to bring some light to the journey of finding joy.

But, joy is not found like happiness is. We so often associate the two as being the same thing. When, in fact, they are very different in both obtaining it and keeping it.

Joy, from the Greek, which is used in the New Testament to describe happiness that occurs based on a spiritual state rather than based on an emotion or situation, is the word “Chara”.

“Joy is the inevitable overflow of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and of the Believer’s knowing His continuing presence and having a sense of well being experienced by one who knows all is well between himself and the Lord”. (1Peter 1:8) “Joy not only does not come from favorable human circumstances but is sometimes greatest when those circumstances are the most painful and severe”. https://www.preceptaustin.org/joy_-_chara

When the money hits the bank…we smile

When the babies fall asleep in their own beds…we smile

When the hubby acts like a superhero and does the dishes…we smile

When the kids listen…we smile

Let’s be honest, when the coffee dings that it’s ready in the morning…we smile!!

All perfect examples of happiness. Each one of these are based upon events in our lives. Bet you could think of many many more. But what makes joy so different. Isn’t happiness the same thing? Even if you look up the modern definition of joy, you will see happiness as part of the definition.

But what does the Bible say about joy?

It’s a fruit of the spirit.

It is founded on faith in Jesus.

It is God’s gift to believers.

It is a byproduct of obedience.

It is found in Christ alone and cannot be replicated by circumstantial events or substance.

So, how does this correlate to my life right now?

Well, manufactured joy is not the kind of life I’m about these days. I used to be able to smile no matter what. I used to be able to find the “joy” in everything and everyone. And then life taught me otherwise.

I lived by, ignorance is bliss, and thought that was the secret to staying happy all the time.

Then I tried hiding my head in the sand, hoping if I hid from the bad, I could keep myself happy.

Then I tried filling up my day with people who “needed” me, because giving to others and feeling needed would bring real joy, right?

But all in vain.

Life still stinks! Pardon my bluntness. People fail, you go broke, you lose your baby, your husband gets ill, your house is a mess, your coffee gets cold, the kids get sick…You go ahead and continue that list…

And what do we say?

Well that just sucked the life out of whatever joy I thought I had…right?

But, that is not a true statement. It may have sucked the happiness out of the circumstance. But, the joy, true, lasting joy, cannot be so easily stifled. Because it cannot be controlled or manipulated by the situations at hand. It is something that envelopes your inner being, your spirit, your soul, and shows up in your actions. It is not produced by man or earthly things. It comes from God. How can we have such peace in our hearts when life turns upside down? How can we pray when the lights go out? How can we chose to rejoice when death knocks on our door?

It is because of Jesus. Without Him, there is no joy. Everything is fleeting and bleak. Life is purposeless. Nothing has meaning. When we live our lives without Him, no happiness in the world is present but for a moment. It is a constant chase for satisfaction. The next item to buy, the next drink, the next smoke, the next trip, the next game, the next bet, the next whatever thing it is that becomes so addicting because it seems to buy you a little more time in the light.

But God wants to share His joy with you!

A peace that passes understanding.

So, how do you find joy? In Jesus! Accepting Him, loving Him, serving Him, sharing Him. There is joy, joy, joy in serving Jesus!