The DNA of Joy

We began a series this week that I feel has the potential to be lifechanging; if I choose for it to be. As I sit and write I contemplate how I will overcome the battle that I am in right now. I am in the worry battle. I have what I call a "condition" "sickness" that overcomes me. WORRY! I truly think that it is a disorder and it seems like no one seems to understand it. I always just get the "get over it and quit worrying". To them it is very easy, but I connect with people with OCD, alcholism, anorexia, and other disorders. A large part of me says STOP, but there is a part that keeps me from being able to overcome it. I know that I am to rely on faith in God and I do that; I try; but it just seems to have a nagging devilish monster that remains with me... So as I digress, here is where I am going. The series is called the DNA of joy. The depth of what joy really is and what sets it aside from happiness: So here goes and if you will look for each on Sundays and get in and get ready for the ride!

Joy vs. Happiness

1. Happiness is what happens to you, joy is what is produced in you.
Think of it this way. I am happy if_____________. Happy is what happens to you. It is more like a cause effect relationship. If I get this; I will be happy. Now Joy is different. Joy is where we are full of God's grace and goodness. We are full of the Holy Spirit and it controls our lives. When we are full of faith and knowing the end result and knowing that He loves us and is looking out for our best and well being that is JOY!

Galatians 5:22-23
But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Phillipians 1:11 (this is God's will for us)
May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ- for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

2. Happiness is a list of ever moving items to a target, joy is confident and consistent.

Proverbs 27:20
Just as death and destruction are never satisfied so human desire is never satisfied.

MY LIFE VERSE!
Phillipians 4: 6-7
Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus!

We have to do what honors God, not what makes us happy. That is joy!

3. Happiness is defined by the facts, joy is defined by the truth.

Remember when Sara and Abraham had wanted children for so long. They asked and asked and God revealed to them that there would be children. They waited for 25 years and the day came. But there were two things to look at. FACT: they were too old to have kids but the TRUTH: they never wavered in their faith to believe.

Through it all it comes down to one statement. We have to put our faith in the truth not the facts. Yes there are things facing us that are somber and sad, but those are just the facts of our daily life, what we need to face is the truth. The truth that God is amazing and has the power to sustain whatever issues we have. So back to the worrying... I have to realize that my worries of the day are just the facts of my daily life. I will probably always have something to worry about, but I have to live in the fact and knowing that God's grace is enough for me. It is enough to sustain what I know to be true and everlasting. I am so excited that this series from Seacoast could be the ticket that I am looking for to help me overcome this "crud" that has a hold on my life, my marriage, and my relationships with other people! It is all just facts by day, but Glory to him that it is TRUTH everlasting!