If you are like many Christians, we have been taught that happiness is more of a fleshly thing, and that we shouldn’t be trying to be happy. “God isn’t interested in your happiness.”
Really???? Then what is heaven about? Why does God try so hard to get us to believe and receive His love for us?
Happiness should not be our main goal in life, but happiness should be part of the Christian life. It was in the days of the early church, and it should continue as His church.
Joy is spiritual fruit. Happiness is soul fruit.
Is it possible that the two are more related than we realized? Joy is an undercurrent in our lives. But joy can also be a visible excitement over God doing something in our life presently or hopeful anticipation for him to do something in the future, which is happiness.
We can (and should) have both, even after the death of our child. It won’t happen right away, but we can move toward it, allowing it to slowly make its way back into our lives.
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Katie Mullen was born on August 24 and is forever 19.
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Remember to Hold On Pain Eases; there is HOPE!
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The series on Joy was very helpful for me. Your suggestion to make a list of Joy/happiness is something I think I can actually do. Especially when You gave some wonderful examples, I was able
To say, oh yeah, that does make me feel a little Joy. Opened my eyes to see I do have some joy around me even though I can’t feel it most days.
Valerie, I am so glad this was helpful. Thanks for letting me know. As you know, I am on this “Finding Joy Again” journey myself.