Joy.

"Happiness is a cheap, cheap substitute for joy". -Matt Chandler

I heard this quote while listening to one of Chandler's sermons one time and it has stuck with me ever since.

Happiness is something we all want to feel and most of us spend our entire lives searching for it. Unfortunately, happiness is a very dependent state of being. It depends on what we have It depends on feelings and circumstances. Our feelings and emotions lie, and circumstances can change in an instant. Anyone who has lived any amount of time knows that the things around us can be taken away in an instant. If we base our happiness on these things, then our happiness is also taken along with them. If this fluctuating happiness is all we have, then the troubles that Jesus promises we will have will undoubtedly consume us.

God calls us to something so much better, so much more fulfilling than happiness.

He freely gives and wants us to attain joy.

Joy is different.
It does not depend on what we have.
It does not depend on what is going on in our lives.
It does not depend on the people around us.

I've been thinking a lot lately on joy, how I would define it.

Joy is being confident that the Creator of the universe, the ocean, pine needles, and fireflies loves me, and nothing can separate me from that love.
Joy is knowing that my sins are taken care of, once and for all.
Joy is knowing that I'm never alone.
Joy is the peace that He who loves me also has complete control of my circumstances.
Joy is the realization that if I'm still breathing, He isn't done with me yet.
Joy is the confidence to approach the Throne of Grace and cast my anxieties upon Him, knowing that He cares about each and every one of them.
Joy is knowing that no matter where I am, He is working all things for my good.

Joy is knowing Christ.