I’ve been thinking about the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is wonderful, but it tends to come and go with our circumstances. Joy goes deeper. It comes from Jesus, and He can hold us steady even when life feels anything but steady.
Jesus said, “I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11 NIV). I love that He said My joy. We don’t have to come up with it on our own. He wants to fill us with His joy until it spills over.
I think about Paul and Silas, singing hymns while they were chained in prison (Acts 16:25). I don’t know about you, but singing would probably be the last thing on my mind! Yet there they were, praising God in the dark. Their circumstances hadn’t changed, but their faith gave them a reason to sing.
Maybe you’re in a hard season right now. Maybe joy feels a long way off. Please know you don’t have to pretend everything is fine or try harder to feel joyful. You can bring your tired, worried, hurting heart to Jesus just as it is. Spend a little time with Him. Tell Him what’s going on. Let Him remind you that He is still with you.
Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope.” That’s my prayer for you today. May His joy meet you right where you are, fill you up, and overflow into the lives of the people around you.
Shine, Shine, Shine!