How do I experience "joy"?

[stormdancer0]

I think that I definitely get the two mixed up...perhaps you can explain the difference to me? That would be helpful...thanks

Happiness is fleeting, emotion-led, and mostly caused by circumstances.

Joy is deeper. It is long-lasting, has very little to do with how you feel, and is caused by an inner assurance that no matter what we are going through, God is in control.

I was happy when I got married to my college sweetheart. I was happy when I had my children. But my joy came when I dedicated my life to Christ. Even when my husband was not expected to live, and I was sad and afraid, the joy of the Lord was there.

Just think - with God's joy, what is there to fear? Death scares nearly everyone.

But if you are a believer: Someone comes up to you and puts a gun to your head. One of two things will happen. Either you will somehow miraculously get through it, or you will suddenly and permanently find yourself in the arms of Jesus. It's a win-win situation. Once you start thinking like that, joy is there.

When I lost my fear of death, a whole new world of joy and contentment opened to me. It has nothing to do with happiness.

 

[donnamabob]

I said earlier that not everybody experiences joy completely. I'm not saying that it is not possible to experience it. Ok, so, happiness is based upon what is happening while joy is in looking at the bigger picture that is founded on eternal principles, eternal attitude, eternal character, eternal perspective. We should choose to quote scriptures in the mist of the lows in life. We have to remind ourselves that, if we're saved, then this miserable life will not last forever. We look past the pain & focus on Christ. It is not about just waiting for God to give us joy. It is about looking ahead to spending eternity with Christ. When we begin to focus on Him the rest begins to numb away & fade away & disappear into the background.

This is what I was needing to hear. It's like...I knew it, but I needed to hear it. Know what I mean? Thanks for your help!

 

[donnamabob]

Happiness is fleeting, emotion-led, and mostly caused by circumstances.

Joy is deeper. It is long-lasting, has very little to do with how you feel, and is caused by an inner assurance that no matter what we are going through, God is in control.

I was happy when I got married to my college sweetheart. I was happy when I had my children. But my joy came when I dedicated my life to Christ. Even when my husband was not expected to live, and I was sad and afraid, the joy of the Lord was there.

Just think - with God's joy, what is there to fear? Death scares nearly everyone.

But if you are a believer: Someone comes up to you and puts a gun to your head. One of two things will happen. Either you will somehow miraculously get through it, or you will suddenly and permanently find yourself in the arms of Jesus. It's a win-win situation. Once you start thinking like that, joy is there.

When I lost my fear of death, a whole new world of joy and contentment opened to me. It has nothing to do with happiness.

This makes sense and it was helpful, thanks for sharing!

 

[stan1953]

I feel like I've lost all of my joy. Either that or I have never experienced true joy (as in the fruit of the Spirit). Lots of preachers seem to have a different take on where "joy" comes from. For example, David Wilkerson says that it comes from repentance, and a hunger for God's word...but Joyce Meyer seems to think it comes from doing "joyful" things (as described in her book "eat the cookie, buy the shoes") that make you happy. They even use the same scriptures from Nehemiah to make their points.

I see scriptures in the bible that seem to suggest to me that we "force" ourselves to be joyful despite what we're feeling (although I try and try and cannot seem to muster up "joy" from nothing) (James 1:2, Habakkuk 3:17 for example).

I'm starting to understand that obtaining the fruit of the Spirit does happen from "doing the bible" (generally speaking), and I believe that I am starting to "do the bible", but I am not seeing any kind of increase in joy in my life, if anything I feel worse.

I want to be joyful so that I can give joy to others. I want to have evidence of Christ living in me, and I want to overflow with his goodness so that others will want what I have...but I don't have it. I really very desperately want to understand what I am missing in life. I don't understand why I do not reflect the image of a Christian that the bible describes. Please help me to understand. Thank you!

Wait for it........... Joy comes in the morning!

Sorry, couldn't resist. The Bible says the Joy of the Lord is our strength.
Think of the Christmas hymn, "JOY to the World, the Lord is come."

It is dwelling in current reality of who and what Jesus is, not necessarily in your life, but just who He is. Think on it, meditate on it. Offer up your SACRIFICE of praise for it. Joy is NOT happiness. Happiness depends on good happenings. Our joy is based on who Christ is.

Joy comes from being wholly involved in each other, 1 Thess 2:20

 

[keepinitsimple]

Wait for it........... Joy comes in the morning!

Sorry, couldn't resist. The Bible says the Joy of the Lord is our strength.
Think of the Christmas hymn, "JOY to the World, the Lord is come."

It is dwelling in current reality of who and what Jesus is, not necessarily in your life, but just who He is. Think on it, meditate on it. Offer up your SACRIFICE of praise for it. Joy is NOT happiness. Happiness depends on good happenings. Our joy is based on who Christ is.

Joy comes from being wholly involved in each other, 1 Thess 2:20

This works too..
Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Jesus said, seek ye first the kingdom of God and all of His Righteousness and all of these things will be added on..

God bless