Happiness or Joy?

We recently had company and I overheard the six-year-old asking her mother, “Why do the people in this house laugh all the time?” Well, that was her perspective. It made me laugh. 🙂

It also made me think. What is the reason people laugh? People are happy when things go their way. It comes naturally. We were playing spoons the other night for example and the ones who grabbed them first were very happy. The rest of us weren’t. 🙂 But why smile when things are normal? That is where joy comes in. Unlike happiness, joy is a result of what is going on inside us, not what is happening to us. It is the fellowship of our soul with the Lord during the normal routine. Over the past few weeks we have not been overly elated about the responsibilities Michael and James left, but we are so glad we can do them and make their ministry possible. It is exciting to be in the Lord’s will! 🙂 We are all glad to be doing what we are doing right now!

This little girl commented on how happy we were, but it was a good reminder to me to constantly and consciously dwell in the Lord’s presence because that is where there is fullness of joy. (Ps. 16:11) This type of joy is a choice. What is your choice? (1 Thes. 5:16-17)

6 Comments

  1. Jenny Wilkes October 16, 2006 at 6:31 pm #

    Esther,
    Joy is definitly a choice! Thank you for the encouragement to look to the one Who holds all the joy and Who would willingly give it to us if we only submit to Him. As you said dwelling in His presence and looking at all situations from His perspective is a major key in having the joy of the Lord!
    Keep looking to Him, Jenny

  2. James Staddon October 17, 2006 at 3:46 pm #

    It is good to read about how you are learning what the Lord is teaching you in all situations. Thank you for joyfully filling in for Michael and I. God bless you!

  3. Robert October 22, 2006 at 3:47 pm #

    That is so true, Esther, to rejoice is a choice!

  4. Erin Elizabeth Pradia December 19, 2006 at 11:19 am #

    I really enjoyed your article Esther. It reminded me that my attitude is a choice! It is important that I keep my inside rejoicing always.

    As you can tell, I have finally gotten around to visiting your website! I really enjoy it. Thank you for telling me about it!

  5. Esther December 19, 2006 at 5:51 pm #

    Great to hear from you Erin! Glad that you enjoyed the website. You are right; we can change our life by changing our attitude.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. StaddonFamily.com » Blog Archive » Bringing Health to the Hurting - March 11, 2007

    […] asked, “How can you be so happy all the time?” It was a great opportunity to share how rejoicing is a choice and the key to joy is finding it “in the Lord” (Philippians 4:4). His goodness is […]

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