We humans are often guilty of allowing “joy killers” to rob our lives of radiance.

These “thieves” who steal contentment and hope are absolutely not limited to, worry, guilt, selfishness, resentment, and fear. They can morph quickly into malcontent, sourness, dominance and rage!

These things can tap out our spiritual strength and drain our spirits, which, in the end, snuffs out our joy.

George Bernard Shaw wrote a blunt but true message once. He said,

“This is true joy in life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. Being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.”

Y I K E S!

Today, you CAN have real joy.

It comes by obeying God’s word, not just taking parts from it that fit your current needs or mood. Without joy, we can really do very little, and whatever we do, we won’t do it well.

We come to God because none of us have it within ourselves except momentarily, to be joyful.

Joy is the overflow of abundance. It’s the overflow of “alive-ness”. It’s living out, walking out of LIFE, hand in hand with God speaking hope to us, working together in harmony with him!

We try to get joy sometimes through entertainment.

We pay someone to make jokes, tell stories, act in a play, and sing songs. We buy the life joy of other people’s imagination to distract us from the daily grind and to brighten our lives.

The enormous entertainment industry in America is an indication of a desire for happiness, but a lack of real joy. But entertainment never fully pierces our lives and never changes our nature. The effects of these are extremely temporary — a few minutes, a few hours, a few days at the most.

When we run out of money, the joy trickles away because it can’t be instantly replenished, purchased, or rearranged. The beginning of real joy is when WE make the decision to obey the LORD!

Real joy exists in the midst of what happens in every life: pain, suffering, loneliness, and misfortune.

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy,” Psalm 94:19.

There’s a Big Difference Between Joy And Happiness !

Happiness is based on circumstances, but joy is rooted in substance.

Happiness may be about possessions, but joy is about Christ.

Happiness is external, but joy is internal. Physical and material possessions may make us happy, but joy comes from the heart — the inner person.

Happiness is based on mostly “chance”, but joy is based on choice. The word “happy” comes from an old English word “hap” which means luck, chance, or accident.
Joy is a decision.

Happiness is temporary, but joy is timeless. Feelings of happiness will come and go but joy is constant and is not put in a short leash!

“I will find joy in following your instructions, just like someone one who rejoices in obtaining great riches,” Psalm 119:14.

Fight off those “joy killers”!

There is so much more to experience and to live for my friends!

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer! (Romans 12:12.)

 

In His Shadow,
~ Mary Lindow ^©

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” THE MESSENGER ” ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
Global Prayer Rooms

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Mary Lindow has a passion for encouraging others – all generations, careers or vocations to live expressing excellence through personal integrity, healthy accountability, and wise management of talents and skills. She’s a sought after keynote, inspirational, humorous speaker and teacher across the USA and internationally in Ministers & Spiritual leaders Conferences, and training seminars for various organizations.

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