On Our Hearts: Don't Worry, Be Joyful

I once heard it said that happiness is based on happenings, but joy comes from the Lord. Think about that for a second. We need people, places and things in order to be happy. But to be truly joyful all we need is Jesus. When we think about it that way, it is much easier it is to be joyful than to be happy. People will let us down, places will deceive us, and things will deteriorate. But the joy that God gives us never expires, never dissipates, and never fails. Oh sure, we will experience sadness now and then. But once you discover the inner joy that the Lord brings, your life will never be the same again.

Heavenly Father,

Please forgive us for having looked to the world to bring us joy. We may have found happiness, but it was only temporary. Fleeting pleasures that may satisify us in the interim, but they are no comparison to Your joy. This world is filled with so many disappointments and disillusion, and yet we continue to seek after the empty promises the devil would have us desire. Father, turn our hearts toward You so that we may receive Your magnificent joy. Only You can fulfill our deepest desire to be truly happy. We long to know what it feels like to have true inner joy and peace within our spirit. Help us to overcome any sadness that we may be feeling. Show us how to replace anger with forgiveness and grace. And let us pass this joy on to our children. May we be an overflowing vessel of joy to them. Lord, despite what may be going on right now in our lives, may we put a smile on our face and a sweet song in our voice to show the world the only way to find true happiness.

Amen

"You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound." Psalm 4:7

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13