A couple of years ago, I subscribed to a daily devotion email called "Crosswalk". It is a collection of passages from hundreds of different devotionals from amazing Christian authors, some of whom I would have never read without Crosswalk. Found some new favorites, too!
I read this devotion every morning, along with the mass readings for the day. Studying and reflecting on The Word, as well as reading others' personal reflections, allows me to quietly begin my day with my Father.
You know how the Spirit always sends you the perfect things at the perfect times? Well, this devotion I received a few days ago is no exception! It is an excerpt from "Sanctuary" by David Jeremiah called 'Joy Does Not Depend On Circumstances':
I read this devotion every morning, along with the mass readings for the day. Studying and reflecting on The Word, as well as reading others' personal reflections, allows me to quietly begin my day with my Father.
You know how the Spirit always sends you the perfect things at the perfect times? Well, this devotion I received a few days ago is no exception! It is an excerpt from "Sanctuary" by David Jeremiah called 'Joy Does Not Depend On Circumstances':
"Happiness is the world’s cheap imitation of Christian joy. Happiness is dependent on happenings, on 'hap,' which is another word for 'luck.' Someone who is hapless is luckless.
When we have 'joy,' it can be our constant possession because it does not depend on the circumstances of the day. Paul said, 'Rejoice in the Lord!' This philosophy made it possible for him to endure all kinds of problems and still move forward in his walk with Christ. When he wrote his second letter to the church at Corinth, he listed just a few of the things he had endured. Now we know how he endured them. He had the strength of genuine joy in his life.
How could any one man experience all these things and still have the spirit of joy? Paul understood what most modern men do not—that joy and pain are often compatible emotions."
You may have noticed that I hadn't posted in a few months until last week. I was going through a season of intense anxiety that left me exhausted, without my "hap". I was in a constant state of panic and felt hopeless. And what good is a Christ follower with no hope? I felt so ungrateful, as though having anxiety meant I had lost faith.
I finally began to emerge from that dark cloud, but the guilt of my unhappiness still remained. Then one morning, I awoke to David Jeremiah's words.
BAM! Holy Spirit 2x4 moment! Happiness and true joy are not synonymous!
Happiness is dependent upon luck and good fortune. Joy is dependent upon the unconditional love and peace of the Maker of the Universe.
Happiness has to be pursued, while joy is free for the taking.
Happiness has no guarantee, save a guaranteed expiration date. But joy is promised and unending.
When you struggle through dark times and feel overwhelmed by unhappiness, it doesn't mean you've lost your faith or your joy. You may be experiencing the frailty of your humanity, but God gives us glimpses of heaven to remind us of the joy that is ahead.
I am #grateful for people like David Jeremiah and the team at Crosswalk for their faithful insight. I am #grateful for the opportunity to feel pain that binds my heart to Christ. And I am #grateful that my Savior gives me a foretaste of what is ahead.
PS, check out "Sanctuary" by David Jeremiah here and Crosswalk daily devotional here! You'll love it!
I finally began to emerge from that dark cloud, but the guilt of my unhappiness still remained. Then one morning, I awoke to David Jeremiah's words.
BAM! Holy Spirit 2x4 moment! Happiness and true joy are not synonymous!
Happiness is dependent upon luck and good fortune. Joy is dependent upon the unconditional love and peace of the Maker of the Universe.
Happiness has to be pursued, while joy is free for the taking.
Happiness has no guarantee, save a guaranteed expiration date. But joy is promised and unending.
When you struggle through dark times and feel overwhelmed by unhappiness, it doesn't mean you've lost your faith or your joy. You may be experiencing the frailty of your humanity, but God gives us glimpses of heaven to remind us of the joy that is ahead.
I am #grateful for people like David Jeremiah and the team at Crosswalk for their faithful insight. I am #grateful for the opportunity to feel pain that binds my heart to Christ. And I am #grateful that my Savior gives me a foretaste of what is ahead.
PS, check out "Sanctuary" by David Jeremiah here and Crosswalk daily devotional here! You'll love it!