Happiness is finding front row parking at the grocery store on a rainy day. Joy is parking at the end of the lot on purpose and appreciating the gift of being able to walk.
Happiness is making more money than we need to pay our bills. Joy is giving sacrificially and trusting God to provide for our needs.
Happiness is when our spouse does exactly what we want. Joy is extending grace and love even when we’re in the right.
Happiness is when our kids are well-mannered, obedient, and thankful for everything we do for them. Joy is wrapping our arms around them in their brattiest moments, honoring the privilege of shaping the minds and hearts of our future generation.
Happiness is finding a dollar. Joy is giving it away.
Happiness is receiving well deserved recognition. Joy is continuing to do our best even when someone else takes the credit.
Happiness is my mom in perfect health. Joy is helping her recover from brain cancer.
Happiness is natural and human. Joy is supernatural and a gift from God.
Wanting happiness leads to comfort addiction, self-centered neediness, chronic disappointment, and a focus on controlling circumstances. It is fickle and fleeting.
Pursuing joy (God) leads to depth, maturity, service, and surrender to God even when we don’t know what He’s doing. It is stable and dependable.
For all these reasons, I don’t pray for happiness. I pray for joy.
May our hearts overflow with purpose, service, and abundance of everything good and permanent. And may we find joy even in the midst of our scary and uncertain circumstances because we know our lives are about so much more than ourselves.
“…And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
Wonderfully said and such a good message to begin this new year! Thank you for this.
Thank you for stopping by my blog and for your kind comment. I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog.
Beautiful post ~ what a perfect perspective ~ May 2013 bring you joy, health, wealth and beautiful memories with your family (especially with your Mom). Sending you heartfelt hugs. Keep shining and inspiring us all! xo
Your wish is beautiful, thank you. May it return to you as well.
Fabulously Post! So true! I pray for your Joy also!
Instead of happiness, i wish you live.
Have a blessed night!
Kitty G
Thank you, Kitty.
Man…..you are good! BTW, your post went out this morning. Thank you so much for contributing! You are amazing. Hugs. Me.
Hi, Lisa. I’m praying for everyone who reads your blog. Blessings, my friend. Here’s to the next chapter of God’s faithfulness in our lives!
Amen! How does it look? ok?
I’m in tears…that should answer sufficiently. God is so good.
I do, too!
Wonderful!!! For me, Joy is deep, constant, and healing…Happiness is elusive and temporary.
Love your post girlfriend!!
Thanks, Denise. Joy is something I never thought would be possible for me. And I definitely didn’t think it would come through suffering. Love your comments and blog posts!
I love this post, I relate so much to the side of happiness through pursuing addiction, now I’m understanding the joy God can bring. I enjoyed reading your story on Lisa’s blog, inspiring.
Wayne
Hi, Wayne. Can’t wait to read more of your story. God is so different to me now that I’m in recovery. I used to only fear Him, but getting to know Him and feeling His love have become life itself to me. Keep going!
Fantstic post, Love it… Love and joy Ute x
Thank you, Ute. Right back to you.
Yes! Here’s to JOY! What a beautiful post…thank you.
Thanks, Vicki. Big joy to you!
Hi Lori,
This is wonderful! Something I will soon not forget. I wrote something called “Opposites” that sort of is along this vein too.
http://robinclaire.wordpress.com/2012/12/31/opposites/
robin
ps – did I say how wonderful a post this was?
Thanks, Robin. I will enjoy sitting down with a cup of coffee and reading your post.
Lovely post
xx
Thank you!
Wonderful post – it has touched me in a special way, I have pursuing God’s joy for awhile now and never want to stop. I also wanted to let you know I read your testimony today on optimisicgladness you are such an inspiration. May God continue to bless your life and thank you for sharing your story, I know it will lead to healing to many who read it. Patty
Thank you, Patty. You’re always so kind to me. Yes, Lisa is quite a connector of all things good. And only because God is the very center of my being and source of my story, it is a good one.
Abundance of joy to you, Patty. Can’t wait to read more of your story.
God at your center shines brightly for all of us to see. Blessings! Patty
Well said. Your blog is beautifully written and fantastically real and refreshing. Blessings in the new year!
How sweet of you. Thank you for your encouragement and for visiting me.
Happened upon your blog through your comments on another one, and so glad I found you! Great insights, and I look forward to reading more!
I’m glad you found me…:) I’ll look forward to heading over to your blog, too.
Praying that you experience much joy in this new year, Jumpingonclouds!
God bless you!
Maria
Thank you, Maria. I’m finding a deeper joy that lies far beneath the suffering. It’s a painful journey. But worth it.
Yes! I believe His Presence in and with us, through everything, makes it worth it.