Manna Monday | rivers of joy

Lately, I've been processing the difference between between joy and happiness. And maybe you've pondered it or maybe haven't, but today, I do wanna spend a moment and just maybe help you understand the difference between an external happiness and an internal joy. At times, they can coexist, which is great as an optimist, and when I'm on top of the mountain and I'm both joyful and happy, life is so good. But the reality is that when storms come, when obstacles- when we're confronted with obstacles, or we're just going through the heart of life, there's one that fades, but there's one that stays steady. And the fading one is happiness.

Happiness is usually external. It often comes with circumstances, like if you get a compliment, or you have a moment where you just have this incredible dinner. A friend's over, there's laughter, there's happiness. It's temporary though, right? Like that compliment only lasts so long, or that meal has an end, and then it's the next day, right?

You're already into the next daily grind. And happiness typically is emotional. It's this sense of emotion, which is, it's a beautiful thing. Happiness is beautiful. But then you have this other, this rock, and this rock is joy.

And joy, on the other hand, is this internal state of being. It's this sense of purpose tied with meaning and spiritual death. It's lasting. Doesn't come in seasons. It's not something that just comes and goes.

It's a steady rock. And it's rooted, it's deep, it is connected in a sense of gratitude and faith and connection. And so when you look at the two, happiness, Ecclesiastes 3, verse 12-13 says (paraphrased), "I know there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live." And it shows that happiness is a gift. It's tied to what's happening in life.

But it can rise and fall with our circumstances. But yet a joy. Joy is internal and it's spiritual. Galatians 5:22 says that actually one of the fruits of the spirit is joy. And this means that you literally cannot create joy.

Joy is created inside of you from what? It comes from our walk with the Lord. It comes from His spirit, His presence. And so the challenge today is James 1:2-3 three. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds."

Consider it joy when you face trials of many kinds. You can't draw happiness in seasons of trials, but you can draw from a well of joy. Joy exists even in the suffering because it's rooted in the relationship with Jesus. If you are struggling, if you find yourself going through the ups and downs of life, and you have these moments where you're just, you're not joyful, right? Or it's like, well, what does this show?

It shows your relationship or your connection with your creator. And I would just challenge you this week. If you're struggling, then fight for joy. Fight for joy. And how do we fight for our joy?

Well, we surrender. We come to a place where we just fully surrender to the ways of Jesus. And when we do, when we fully surrender, and we fully accept that our Father, our Creator, knows way more than us, that has a better plan for us, plan to prosper us, to give us hope in the future. When we just surrender to that, we find that we sit in the state of peace and rivers of joy. And I and I pray that over you this week.

I pray that no matter what's going on in your life, that you would draw from a well of joy by surrendering to the way of the Lord. And just kick your feet up and just go along for the ride. Let the current take you wherever it's gonna take you and just surrender to the way of the Lord. And so I pray you be blessed this week as you carry on your day and that you are full of joy in this season.