Joy

"Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God." Pierre de Chardin

Many people spend their lives seeking happiness.  It is somehow elusive.  It depends so much on reality outside of ourselves: our family, work, play, financial situations all influence our happiness or lack of, at any given time. Happiness is a feeling, an emotion, often out of our control.

Joy, on the other hand, is a stronger, less common feeling that depends more on the choices we make. We can choose to find joy anywhere and everywhere.  Our attitude, our determination to make the best of every situation, fuels the growth of joy in us.  So also does our recognition that bad things happen, that sorrow is inevitable but that we can celebrate the good things and look for the rainbows after the rain.

Joy is also a spiritual, supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity.  As Christians, we have been given something that cannot be taken away. We have joy because of the grace of Jesus Christ that lives in us. We can hold onto joy, we can feel joyful, and we can rejoice with praise in any circumstances, because no matter what is going on in our lives, God is always near. Scripture tells us “ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. “Phil 4:1-9 

Here is a surprise.  With joy, comes happiness!  We don’t have to seek it. When we are filled with joy, we have no need to seek pleasure, wealth or whatever we felt would bring us happiness.  It is a result of being joyful.  

Even better, joy is contagious.  You’ve seen it. That person who always sees the good in others, the opportunities in any situation.  Others are drawn to that personality because they want what they see. Joyful people spread joy all around them and multiply it by their very existence.

Joy is not always festive or loud. It can manifest itself as a serene tranquility and inner calm, or it can translate into a feeling of meaningful harmony with the world.