A few years ago my local church interviewed me on the topic of joy. I love this topic as it really made me examine what joy actually is, where we try and get it from and how we can sometimes lie to ourselves about how to get “more” of it. Read on to see my take on joy, and how I answered their questions!
What is joy?
Well…from which perspective? Worldly joy is when we pull from the things the world provides us for momentary pleasures and happiness. However, when we look to the biblical definition of joy, as a fruit of the Spirit – we get a more hopeful reframing of what joy can be in our lives, an enduring state of peace and contentment of one’s heart and spirit. I can attest and claim that I have tried both routes to joy and I bet you can guess which one was more filling.
What’s more you can access joy not just through “great circumstances” but on a soul level. A heart state. How rewarding is that?
How do you find joy?
Ask yourself how you pull from the world to feel joy. Do you search for the fast, punchy and momentary pleasures the world has to offer or do you go one step further and tap into the unseen, vast and extraordinary pool God offers?
One place where I have tapped into this type of joy – is in the act of giving. An interesting place to find joy…shouldn’t we just “want, want and want?” I know! It’s backwards? The world tells us we receive the most intense joy when we “get, get “, get” but that’s a lie! I have experienced some of the most joyful moments (that are long lasting) in my life when I have exercised a generous heart. What’s more…when I have acted out of a generous heart while going through my own personal trials, the joy multiplied! Riddle me that! The act of doing for others; whether it be a neighbour, family member or charitable organisation – just the mere act of reaching your arms out to help brings so much joy back to yourself. When you help another and push yourself outwards into that act the results are astounding.
What things bring you joy?
Admittedly I used to believe designer bags and exotic experiences equated to joy. Then everything changed…my faith and all my readings made me realise items are a fruitless pursuit in finding joy…you won’t find joy in any object. In any item. You just can’t. You think you can. And that happiness might last a couple days after the purchase and then…meh. Joy IS in fact deeply spiritual. It IS unseen. Joy is the step after happiness, the next level! If the soul is right, joy can be found. Most importantly…celebrate the Good News…can we do that? We should be dancing daily!
How do you give joy to others?
Giving Joy to others is finding that positive attribute in another human- holding on to it for dear life and then pouring every ounce of your positive and loving self into them. The key is to do that from a genuine and authentic place.
Unabashed joy. Feeling every grain of happiness. Soaking it up. Storing it up, like a savings account or rainy day fund- so you can pull from it.
So chase true joy
So chase true joy!
*If you are interested in giving to a charity that brings true joy and restoration to children rescued from human trafficking, check out Ally Global. Their work is tremendous and your donation directly impacts a child. Talk about joy!
