Joy is Happier than Happy – by Bilyana de Soto

Sep 28, 2015 2738

Dog jumping for joyJoy is a major topic in the Bible. Bible scholars tell us that ‘joy’ appears some 158 times, and ‘rejoice’ 198 times and that’s not counting other variations such as joyful, joyfully, joyous, jubilant, happy and glad. Jesus said His joy would “remain in you” and “your joy no one will take from you” (John 15:11; 16:22). Clearly, there is great emphasis in the Bible on feeling and expressing joy.

Well so much for austere, sour and dour Christianity.

…if you know Jesus as your God and Saviour, joy is not optional

Mistakenly, many Christians think that joy is somehow spiritually unimportant. Some religious people even shun joy, thinking that pious people should instead be solemn. But if you know Jesus as your God and Saviour joy is not optional. The Bible repeatedly commands us to rejoice!  “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”  (Philippians 4:4).

That sounds pretty emphatic but impossible unless you know the Lord. If you do however, out of your heart will flow rivers of joy.

All things conspire to bless..

Unlike happiness, joy is gladness that is completely independent of the good or bad things that happen in the course of our day. Happiness is perhaps more a feeling that depends on something good happening here and now. The wonder of the Holy Spirit-given- joy however, is that it actually seems to shine the brightest during hard times. It is an abiding assurance of God’s love and His presence with us no matter what the circumstances bring.

Joy knows God as the joy-giver. The attitude of gratitude fills the heart with praise. All things conspire to bless, hardship and trouble included.

– Bilyana De Soto

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