Not so abundant joy

(Grace & Grounds is all about purpose, identity and restoration thereof. It is about personal growth and spiritual growth on that journey.) It seems that joy, and also happiness is in short supply all over the world today. If you have little or no joy, it is time to stop and BREAK FREE. This reminds me of 1 Corinthians 13 and perhaps the same principle applies, namely that if there is no joy in whatever you do, stop doing it. Joy and happiness are not the same thing: Happiness is associated with external events like winning a game, getting a raise, eating good food or receiving a compliment. It is usually short lived and disappears when difficulty or sadness comes. Joy on the other hand comes from deep within you and results form a sense of meaning, knowing or faith. It remains even, or rather especially, when you experience hard times. Joy is a choice and it transcends while happiness reacts. How much joy and happiness is there in your life? Are you so caught up in worries and 'doing life' that there is no joy and not even happiness? Matthew 6 (especially verses 25-34) speaks about worrying and Jesus asks why worry. But there is so much more you can do to have more joy and happiness in your life. Start by adding more of the things that bring you happiness and find other things that make you happy and bring that into your life. Joy is a way to overcome hurt, pain and loss, regardless of whether this is physical or emotional. David is a good example of how to apply joy in your life. WE can do the same by following the pattern we see from David's psalms: Identify and speak about the hardship and pain you are experiencing Remember what God has done and is doing in your life and that are the things to be thankful for Praise God for who He is and give thanks. Nehemia 8:10 - "... the joy of the Lord is your strength." Is. 61:3 - "To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." Rev. 21:4 - "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Also look at Rev. 7:17 and Is. 25:8) John 16:20 - "... and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned to joy." Joy is like a superpower that can help you overcome whatever you are faced with, but you need to seek it and ask for it if you do not already have received it. One way of adding more joy, is by starting each day with thanksgiving.