True Joy

From: Michael Youssef Ministries

Psalm 71:23 "My lips shall shout for joy as I sing Your praises; my soul also, which You have redeemed."

So often we confuse happiness with joy. There is a difference. Happiness is the result of getting what we want. We tell ourselves that we'll be happy when we get a newer home. Or life will be great if we get a promotion at work and a pay increase. However, getting what we want only offers a temporary form of happiness that fades over time.

Joy, however, is a fruit of the Spirit. It comes from within and not from external conditions. Jesus said that we are to abide in Him so that our joy can be complete (John 15:9-11). We can experience the joy of the Lord regardless of our circumstances because joy is dependent on our relationship with Jesus Christ.

The world tries to persuade us that joy is found in material possessions, worldly achievements, and social status. However, true joy comes from the knowledge that we are saved through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus and that our lives belong to Him.