What's JOY Got To Do With It?

The word happiness may evoke for some, visions of a beautiful day at the beach, or being in the presence of the one(s) you hold dear, or being in good health, or watching your children's faces as they open up their long waited for Christmas presents or maybe for you it's being tucked inside your home in front of the fireplace with hot cocoa watching as snow falls silently, transforming the landscape, or knowing that all of your bills are paid...in advance...I know these things are sheer happiness for me! ;-)

The point is this: Everyone has things/situations/people that make them happy, and everyone wants to be happy. A lot of times we feel that it is our right to be happy. Well, why not? We are told all our lives, "Life is short, enjoy it!" Do we not spend our entire lives in the pursuit of happiness? In addition to getting things that we need, we work long and hard to buy more things, bigger homes, faster, more luxurious cars, advanced electronic gadgets, collecting more things, and trying different things for more experiences -- all in this elusive quest of 'happiness' --which is really a longing for a fulfillment inside of ourselves that cannot ever be fulfilled...by our selves in any manner.

If our happiness depends on our particular 'happy' circumstances, what happens when the money runs out, the stuff we've collected is stolen, the gadget are obsolete, the cars rust, the home is demolished by a tornado, our health deteriorates, loved ones die, and our friends forsake us? Then what? Isn't that when depression and despair easily chase our long sought after happiness away? Happiness is temporal, solely based on our circumstances.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:Rejoice!" Philipians 4:4

Okay, everybody, think Tina Turner here, and sing along:
"Oh, oh, oh, what's JOY got to do with it, got to do with it?"

Everything, and joy should not be a second hand emotion. When we read the book of Philipians in the Bible, we see that it is a book emphasizing the real joy of the christian life. Paul wrote this book locked up behind bars, but from his exhortations of joy you would never know it. The Apostle Paul learned the secret to a joyful life: whatever the circumstances, be content, finding real joy in knowing Christ focusing on Him, and being content in that!

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Philippians 4:11

Of course we know that it is much easier to 'talk the talk' than to actually 'walk the walk' when it comes to persevering joyfully in the face of adversity. I personally, have been blessed not to have endured any of the hardships of Paul, or hardships that people in my very own town go through everyday. It is one thing to 'talk' joy, and quote scriptures about joy in the days of sunshine, than it is to live it and be it in the midst of the storm. It is my prayer that when my day comes to be tested that I am able to stand firmly shielding myself with faith in the Word resting in God's peace and security.

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Philipians 2:1, 2

Paul went from being a financially well off, highly respected Jewish scholar to being a jailed, despised by many, Christian. Yet, he still knew and experienced real joy. The joy of Christ. Wow, that's what I'm talking about! Amen!

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