We often mistake happiness with joy.

Biblically speaking, happiness is a temporary feeling, joy is a permanent position.We are prone to fall for the short term emotion, and that usually keeps us from growing.

Happiness will get us through a day or two, Joy will get us through anything. Happiness can be taken from you, Joy refuses to leave.

We pursue happiness, Joy pursues us.

We try to make ourselves happy, Joy makes us complete.

Happiness is written in sand, Joy is written in hearts.

Happiness is found in circumstances, Joy is in Christ alone.

That last line is the most important. Don’t be fooled into accepting happiness as the gauge for your experience with God.

*Sure the worship Sunday was awesome, but do you have Joy today?

*Sure the sermon seemed just right for you, but have you allowed God to change you?

*Sure that song came on the Christian radio station at just the right time, but what if it didn’t?

All of those things are fine, but God is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Don’t let your temporary circumstance (even if they’re positive) be the only way you relate to God.

I love my children, that will never change.

When they come home with all A’s and an award for good behavior, I love them.When they come home with a failed test and a note regarding bad behavior, guess what, I still love them.

Your heavenly Father is consistent in His love for you; don’t allow any negative circumstances to cause you to forget it. Also, just as important, don’t allow the pursuit of temporary happiness to get in the way. Because when the happiness wears off, you may doubt your closeness to God.

God wants a relationship with you.

He doesn’t want you to earn His love; He wants you to accept it.

Romans 8:38 “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

That should bring you joy.

Written by Tom Wise © Finding Wonder 2014