There is a difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is dependent upon how well my life and circumstances are going. If things are going well, I am happy. When things are not going well, I am unhappy.
Joy is dependent upon the reality that God goes with me through each and every circumstance of life. I am never alone and I always have the choice as to how I will respond to any given circumstance. My options are simple. I can view my circumstances from my human point of view and experience despair and fear and anxiety or I can view my circumstances from the Lord’s point of view and experience hope and love and the presence of God. Choosing to see and live life from God’s vantage point always leads to joy - even during times of unhappiness or sorrow.
Joy comes from God’s presence. Being in relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit, I can enjoy Jesus. Jesus Himself said it would be better for us if He went away because He would send the Holy Spirit as our Comforter, Teacher, and Constant Companion.
Even when I am wrong He still loves me. It is in His presence that I feel totally accepted and am at ease in confessing my sin and hurts.
Where can I go from His presence? He wants to walk through anything and everything with me. This makes my heart leap and overflow with love and joy towards Him.
What I have found to be true, after 40 years of walking intimately with Jesus, is that no matter what I go through, He is right there with me. This honestly brings me great joy and, honestly, that joy strengthens my mind…especially since I am now dealing with Parkinson’s.
“Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10d NASB
I am being very sincere here: I can face whatever Parkinson’s brings my way with joy because I do not feel alone in the struggle. My physical and mental weakness actually draws me closer to Jesus. Makes me hunger and thirst for more of Him and His presence.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6 NASB
Let’s just do this. Let’s enjoy the presence of Jesus today…even when faced with unhappy tasks or circumstances.
Dennis Jernigan
To hear The Dennis Jernigan Podcast version of this blog and to hear the song, Nobody Fills My Heart Like Jesus, go to http://podcast.dennisjernigan.com/e/nobody-fills-my-heart-like-jesus-1638889584/
Photo courtesy of https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2013/09/23/08/10/boy-185195_1280.jpg