According to the world, the goal of life is to achieve happiness. Messages abound insisting we can and should be happy. But what if I told you settling for happiness would be selling yourself short? Happiness is volatile. The slightest shift in circumstances can derail it and the goal for achieving it always seems to move. A better job. More money. Better health. A bigger house. With happiness something is always missing, and chasing the next good thing is disheartening when you never quite catch it.
You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures. – Psalm 16:11 CSB
Joy is exceedingly better than happiness. It does not involve embarking on an endless search. It is constant and complete regardless of circumstances. It is inexpressible and glorious, and it extends into eternity. (1 Peter 1:8) Joy invaded the world the night our Savior was born. Jesus’ birth was announced as “good news of great joy.” (Luke 2:10-11) And He promised us His joy would be in us and our joy would be full and complete and overflowing. (John 15:11)
At Christmas we celebrate joy! You can spend your life chasing happiness or trust Jesus to give you joy. I promise from personal experience – joy beats happiness every time!
Though you have not seen Him you love Him; though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. – 1 Peter 1:8-9 CSB
