Choosing Joy Rather Than Desiring Happiness

James 1:2 // "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds, because the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

Joy. A word that's meaning is often interchanged with the definition of happiness.

Folks.

Happiness is temporary. It does not last. It does not fill. And it does not satisfy.

Just recently have I recognized what it means to be truly JOYFUL.

Joy is a permanent state; it does not change based on thoughts, things, or even other people.

This little verse in James tells us to "consider it pure joy" when we face trials... wait, what??

Why would I rejoice in trials? How can I be happy in hard times?

Yo. The answer is simple -- its hard to be happy in hard times, but with Jesus, we can be JOYFUL!!!!

Listen to this cool stuff --with Jesus, we have the promise of eternal life.

We can be joyful in Jesus when we realize that we are the recipients of incredible grace and undeserving mercy.

We can be joyful in Jesus when that relationship ends.

We can be joyful in Jesus when the diagnosis isn't good.

We can be joyful in Jesus when you're treated unfairly.

Brothers and sisters, choose to live in the joy that comes only from Jesus. A life full of Him is far better than anything else this would could give you.

/// if you want to know how you can find joy in Jesus, please message me!