If you follow me on Twitter this one will look familiar. I wanted to collect some of my Bible study threads in one place where I can find them again. This particular study is important to me because I think we can all get caught up in the fact we are currently unhappy and forget that happiness isn’t joy. I know I’ll need a reminder of what I’ve learned.
“All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
I’ve been thinking about happiness vs joy a lot lately. The world is so fixed on happiness. They preach, “Do what makes you happy” and “If it doesn’t make you happy toss it.” The thing is, happiness is circumstantial, thus fleeting. It is an impermanent state and subject to change at any moment. Like the Bible says, it’s like chasing the wind.
Joy isn’t the same. Joy is something the Bible tells us we can hold onto even in the midst of trials. We won’t feel happy, but we can consider the bad things going on with joy because we know this isn’t all there is.
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”
1 Peter 4:12-13
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4
“For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” Romans 8:24-25
Hope, like joy, isn’t dependent on what’s going on in our lives. You don’t hope for what you have, you hope for what you know is to come. Lately someone tried to convince me I’m depressed. This is because, unlike my public persona, I am not happy ALL of the time. I’m human.
The thing is, I’m not depressed. I WAS depressed. Before I had my son I was definitely chasing the wind. I had fallen on some hard times and had some fellow Christians make harsh judgements. Instead of chalking it up to their humanity, I ran from the church and directly into the arms of chasing happiness. Chasing happiness apart from God will make anyone depressed. More so when you know in your gut that this isn’t the answer.
After having C, everything clicked in my head and I realized how utterly foolish I had been. I got back into my studies and found the JOY that I had misplaced. These days I may be stressed. There is a lot going on in my life at the moment that weighs on my heart, but I’m not depressed. I have hope, and I have joy. Those have never left me, nor will they ever leave, because neither are based in worldly things.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” Phil 4:4
“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:2
I need to spend more time being anxious for nothing. That’s something I’m working on. I’m working on it through study and prayer. My choice is to trust in the Lord, to consider my struggles with joy because I know they are helping me learn how to hand my worries over to God.
“But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:13
Don’t let the world get you caught up chasing happiness. They don’t understand what joy and real hope is, or the wonder both can add to your life, even when you aren’t currently happy.
“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”
1 Peter 1:6-7
Real joy is in God.
“You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Psalms 16:11
Training to be Batgirl 