Happy, happy, happy vs Joy, joy, joy

Sunday, my Pastor continued his message on Romans 12. This week was 10- 12. I would like to focus on 12, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

In the Greek language, joy means "rejoicing in contentment". 

Hope means "eager anticipation".

Happiness is cool. There isn't anything wrong with it. Happiness is just based on your circumstances. 

Joy is based on what's in your Spirit.

Paul, if you remember, was treated very badly for preaching about Jesus. He wrote this to the church at Philippi in Philippians 14: 12, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any & every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." 

Joy is about being content with what you have. It is about knowing that Jesus loves you and He takes care of you.  My Pastor said, "When you give your life to Christ, it doesn't mean it's going to be rainbows and unicorns." (Ha! I thought that was funny.) He is right though. We don't get a "Get out of Jail free" card like in Monopoly because we have Jesus in our hearts.

It just doesn't work that way.

In Isaiah Chapter 40, verse 31 it says this, "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength." In the Hebrew language hope means to twine together and renew means exchange.

Now, read it this way "But those who wrap themselves together with the Lord will exchange their strength."

God is always with us! He wants us to have joy and hope. We might not always have happiness. But that's ok. In this life, we will experience troubles. Jesus even told us that. Dig into your joy. Be content with what you have. 

Do you have that joy, joy, joy, joy down in your heart? 

You should.