If you do a quick internet search of ‘finding joy in life,” you’ll find tips on self-care, laughing more, worrying less, and surrounding yourself with positive people. All of those things are great ways to hold on to happiness but joy is deeper than happiness. Joy is not dependent on external things but rather is a state of the heart. We experience joy when we make the decision to trust God in all circumstances. 

There is a difference between joy and happiness (read about it here). Joy lasts regardless of what is thrown at it, while happiness is fleeting and self-centric. 

Joy is rooted in love and points the focus away from the self and toward a larger picture. Regardless of what comes, once you have found real joy in life you will be at peace. Joy is tested during the most difficult moments in life. It is something we work on and build a strong foundation for during the good days in order to withstand the harder days. Joy is a choice we make, a choice to trust God no matter what comes at us. 

Dr. Brene Brown, a leading researcher on shame and vulnerability, says that we avoid joy because it is the most vulnerable emotion we can experience. When things are going great, we begin to rehearse tragedy telling ourselves this is too good a moment there is no way it can last. We protect ourselves by shutting out the joy. Those who can truly experience joy are able to lean into the happy moments and use those moments to practice gratitude. They learn to live life to the fullest by taking each moment and seeing the good that is there.

When or if things do take a turn for the worst, we can still be thankful for the moments when all was right in the world and remain joyful. There is an element in living in the present in order to be joyful. You can not hold too tightly to the past beyond being grateful for it, and you can not let your thoughts carry you to what might or might not happen. You have to trust God, lean into His love and let that love overflow into your life and the lives around you. Joy comes through trust and manifests itself in love. 

At Centerpoint, we are breaking down every barrier that keeps people from the love of God. We don’t shy away from the hard questions. No matter where you are in your faith journey, you are welcome to join us!