There is a difference between walking in joy and walking in happiness. And that difference can be seen by others. Joy is a fruit of the spirit where as happiness is not.
How many times a day do we let our circumstances or something that happened dictate are happiness? Is that what we want non believers to see?
I know for me it’s something I have been thinking about lately. Am I walking in Joy or happiness?
If i’m being honest lately I have walking in more happiness then joy. my mood can change rather quickly if something is not going well, or something that I didn’t expect to be hard turns into a challenge. And it’s true people do notice, and that is not a characteristic I want to be known for.
In Philippians Paul is talking about Joy and mind you he is in prison at this time. However in Philippians 4:4 it says: May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again; rejoice!
I don’t think Paul is talking about happiness here that is based on your circumstances or if your team won that day. Now if any one knows me they know that I’m an avid Red Wings fan and when they win I am very excited, however when they loose should it ruin my day?
The same can be said for our faith when we are on that mountain top with the Lord and everything is going great of course I love it, but how do I react when i’m in the desert and I don’t feel him as close?
Are we just fans of Jesus and wear his jersey on game day or are we married to him like so many people are married to pro athletes who no matter how they play are going home with them and doing life together. They are in it no matter what and they choose to be Joyful in all circumstances. Pastor Steven Furtick put it this way “do you wear the jersey or the ring?”
Because let me tell you I want to wear the ring.
However if you are wearing the ring does that mean everything is rainbows and sunshine all the time? Well no it doesn’t we are told in scripture that there will be trials and faith will be tested but it’s how we respond in those times that matters.
I want to be a woman of God that no matter what the world throws at me, people look at me and say the joy of the lord is her strength. Now i’m sure this doesn’t happen over night. It’s a choice and a discipline just like many other things.
But isn’t it a discipline that we want and would seek after? I know it’s part of the fruit of the spirit that I want pouring out of my life.
