Joy

Tidings of Comfort and Joy. It’s what we sing about this season and really long for, right? Comfort and joy. Who doesn’t want a good dose of both? There seems to be a clear distinction between joy and happiness. I have heard it said that happiness is based on happenings, and joy is based on choice. Happiness can come and go based on what is happening around you and what your circumstances are.

But real joy is a choice. It’s an inside job; you can make joy the underlining current of your life. And the only real way we can do that is to have our joy rest on the real deal: God Himself who does not change. And whose plan is for our good and His glory.

We can be joyful this season even in the middle of chaos, of demands, of expectations, of obligations, of whining, of entitlement. We can dump out our cup of frustration and get a fresh refill of joy when we shift our perspective and remember that God’s got this.

He loves you. He has a good plan for you. He will provide for you. He will not fail you. Even when it looks like he’s forgotten or is failing, He truly is not. He is working, always. His love never fails, never runs out, never tires. He looks at you, with such delight, like a proud Father. Just because you’re His. And that is a joyful truth we can bank on.

So today, joy. We can rest, as the song says, and not dismay and remember Christ’s saving power.

“God rest ye merry gentlemen

Let nothing you dismay

Remember Christ our Savior

Was born on Christmas Day

To save us all from Satan's pow'r

When we were gone astray

Oh tidings of comfort and joy

Comfort and joy

Oh tidings of comfort and joy”

Choosing joy today with you,

Amy