It’s easy to feel happy when everything is going you well in your life. But it’s nearly impossible to be happy when you are worn down by a difficult situation. This is because our happiness is dependent on our external circumstances. Since our external situation continually changes that means any happiness we have is fleeting. This leaves us always chasing happiness. Often people equate their happiness with money. If we only had more, then we would finally be happy. But the hard truth is the happiness offered by this world doesn’t last.
Whoever loves money never has enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
This too is meaningless.As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners
except to feast their eyes on them? Ecclesiastes 5:10-11
We pursue what we don’t have, falsely believing it is the key to our happiness. Once we attain our heart’s desire, we find it doesn’t satisfy. Emotionally bankrupt, we return to chasing happiness again.
Joy is different. It is an intense long-lasting feeling of contentment, satisfaction, and fulfillment with life. Joy is deeper than happiness because isn’t situation dependent. You can still experience joy even during the hard times in life. Joy is something only God can provide.
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3: 12-13
God alone gives us purpose and provides the strength to fulfill it. When we live out our purpose God rewards us with satisfaction and contentment.
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Phillippians 4:11-13
Unfortunately, we can lose sight of this truth. The enemy is always seeking to steal our joy, and we are most vulnerable when we are under continuous attack. He wants to focus our attention on our hurt and perceived injustices. He wants us consumed by our fears and doubts. He wants us to feel helpless and hopeless in our situation. If we want to reclaim our joy, then we must change our perspective. We have to choose joy over fear. This starts by remembering our purpose and who we serve.
1. The King we serve created the universe!
Remembering the greatness of God is incredibly humbling. When we focus on the wonder and majesty of our creator, our present problems begin to look small. I recommend taking a moment to get back to nature. Sit quietly in the stillness as you take in the wonder of creation all around you. Listen to the songs of the birds, watch the beauty of a sunrise or sunset, observe the unique characteristics of all God’s creations, or feel the warmth of the sun on your skin. As you do, remember who holds your life in his hands.
2. Our God willingly sacrificed everything out of love for us!
We are not insignificant to God, and he desires relationship with us. The undeserved love of God should fill us with immense gratitude. When we look through eyes of gratitude, we begin to see God’s countless blessing in our lives. Remembering the times God has been faithful in the past allows us to look to the future with hope. Try starting a blessings journal. You will start to recognize all the small blessings that occur each day. During the hard times you can look back and remember all the ways God has been faithful. Rest assured that he will do it again.
A God-focused perspective allows us to face at any situation with contentment just like Paul described in Phillippians. Today, I choose joy!
Seek and You Will Find 
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