Joy Over Happiness

We’ve all been around the kind of people that are undeniably connected to God.

The kind of people that exude positivity even on the worst days. And not the fake, “glass is always full,” but the kind of people who have withstood horrific circumstances, and yet still look to the Lord with gratitude over and over again.

I remember sitting beside a woman as she lay on her deathbed, a few years back. The cancer was back, her teenage daughter preparing to do life without her mother, and yet still this frail woman looked to Christ with hope. Thankful for the moments where the pain wasn’t excruciating. Finding joy even in the simplest things, as she withstood every person’s worst nightmare.

“How does she still have joy?” I wondered to both myself and to God, “And how would I respond in that situation?”

Joy isn’t just something we sing about in the month of December. Joy is one of the greatest gifts of the Christian walk.

Our world seeks happiness at all costs, but happiness is fleeting. My dear friend, who was preparing to leave the world too soon, in too much pain, was not happy. But she was joyful. Joy is different from a simple desire to “be happy.”

Happiness is a feeling based on circumstances, joy is an attitude that defies circumstances. Happiness comes and goes, but joy is intentional and deliberate. A person can experience happiness, but they must choose joy.

I don’t know what life looks like for you this December. Maybe, joy feels easy, as you look at the hundreds of reasons to be thankful. Maybe, you’re experiencing your own worst nightmare, and you don’t know how you could possibly choose joy. Or maybe, life just feels mundane, and there is nothing in you that wants to sing, “Joy to the World!”

I don’t know where you’re at, but I know joy is possible. Not because of you. Not because of your circumstances. But because of Jesus.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

- Galatians 5:22-23

Joy is an outpouring of the Spirit in us. If you are looking for joy this December, look no further than Jesus. Relationship with Him shapes us, molds us, and allows us to choose joy even when our circumstances don’t make sense. We can have eternal joy, even when we aren’t experiencing worldly happiness.

The advent story wasn’t one of simple happiness. Jews were living in chaos, desperate for a Messiah. People were hurting and lost. God felt far and silent. And then a baby enters. Heaven crashes into earth. Light enters into darkness. The script is flipped. Jesus still faces struggles throughout his life - but there is joy because salvation has come.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

- Luke 2:9-10

The words that angels spoke so many years ago, still apply to you today. Do not be afraid. Great joy is coming. Do not be afraid of the chaos, the pain, the unknown. The chaos of our world isn’t forever, Jesus is here.

Maybe that’s the song you need to sing over your life today. Maybe that’s the truth you need to remind yourself.

Don’t fear. Heaven came to earth, a baby was born. Your circumstances don’t have the last word. You can choose Jesus. You can have joy.

Cristina Schmitter

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