Over the years I have met so many people who are hurt in all walks of life but at the same time declare themselves miserable. They don’t have to worry about finances. They enjoy good health and loving relationships. They live in safe and secure environments that are filled with everything anyone could want. However, they are miserable!
On the other hand, I have also met many people who have very little and yet are full of joy. Some struggle with health problems. Others have nothing materially. They may not have career options and may not even know where their next meal will come from. From the outside, it would appear that they have very little going for them. However, they are full of joy!
Christmas is a Christian celebration and throughout the month of December people around the world often talk about joy, peace and love. I thought it would be interesting to do an internet search asking for a definition of the word “joy” and if it is an emotion. The response written by healthpsychology.com invites serious reflection.
Joy is an attitude or a belief that relieves even the most painful situations. Joy comes from within; it is an internal view. Joy in the biblical context is not an emotion. It is not based on something positive happening in life, but it is an attitude of the heart or spirit.
I think that joy is different from happiness because it is deeper and does not depend on things that are out of our control. Instead, it is part of our core identity that involves gratitude, living in the moment, and embracing hope despite what is happening around us.
When we experience joy, we focus on the positive things in our lives and not on the many negative aspects of the world that threaten to distract us. It is about being content and free from fear.
Think of some of the times in your life when you have felt joy. What was happening at that time? Was the world perfect? Absolutely not. Was everything in your life perfect at that time? Probably not.
The joy she felt probably had to do with an inner peace that inspired hope and emotional rest despite what was going on in the world.
Joy is an amazing word, and it’s no wonder we think of it during the holiday season. Because Christmas offers us the opportunity to focus on the reason for this season and the hope it offers us for the future.
May your life be filled with joy, today and every day of the year!