Circumstantial joy.

Are you waiting for things to change before you’ll be happy again? You could be waiting a long time, my friend.

If you are a Christian, joy is an emotion as a result of the Holy Spirit that lives within you. This Spirit produces this ongoing positive and hopeful emotion, as we turn our heart and mind to Christ.

Even when our world is engulfed in violence and hate, the Holy Spirit can give you peace. This comes from knowing your faith is not in what’s going on around you, it’s your trust that God loves you and will never leave your presence.

There’s happiness and joy in life. Joy sustains us in a way happiness can never do. Happiness comes and goes, based on our current circumstances. Joy is God-centered confidence that sustains us in the midst of trials and guides us through troubling times.

If all we focus on is our current condition and what’s going on around us, our hearts are going to be heavy, fear will creep in and before you realize it, joy has left and heartache has arrived.

You’ll never know true joy until your heart is no longer yours. What I mean by that is, giving your life to Christ, gives Him the opportunity to live in your heart, leaving no room for anything else. This is when your mind is re-focused on God and all His goodness.

Circumstances will change, but God never does.

Galatians 5:22-23 - “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”