Joy In The Crazy

I Mean, Have We All Lost Our Minds?

So much going on in our country and the world right now. So. Much. It's completely overwhelming. Things are backwards and out of order. Up is down and down is up and it's all coming at us fast. How do I stay in touch with what's happening, without getting sucked in and totally depressed? I need to stay positive and can't spend all of my time trying to figure out the latest news headline. Folks have gone mad and it's hard to figure out what's motivating them. I care, but I don't really have the time for it all.....

Sound about right? I have heard these statements from several people in person and online, and all of it's true. We are definitely in a unique time, not just the U.S. but all around the world. So how do we navigate it? I want to be happy but I'm stressed all the time and just trying to get through the day with as little anxiety as possible.....

I hear you loud and clear....and I feel it too.

What's the Difference Between Joy and Happiness?

To me, the answer is spiritual and a clear understanding of the difference between happiness and joy. The words may feel similar, but they're actually totally different.

Have you ever had a really good brownie, and you're like, ok, this is a happy moment? That's it..... Happiness, a moment to be enjoyed. Happiness is emotional and temporary. A good plate of Mexican food with a sangria, a sweet walk on a summer night with your best bud, a baby laughing in the high chair because you're doing funny things with the Cheerios.... it all makes for a happy moment and a good laugh.

Joy though is different, it's deeper. It's comes from inside of us and it comes out of the heart. It's deliberate and intentional. It's choosing to look at the glass half full instead of half empty. It's not ignorant, it understands there are difficulties and challenges in our life, but we have a deep well of joy and can walk forward in faith, despite how our day is going right now.

OK, well If Happiness Comes From A Brownie, Where Does Joy Come From?

The answer is.....the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit indwells in our heart after we have accepted Christ, and gives us a whole list of blessings. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. That's a great list and joy is a big part of it. The Holy Spirit steadies our attitude and helps us rise above all of the emotion, giving us peace, comfort, and you guessed it....joy. Today's struggles are real, but we can move forward in faith that God will take care of every detail, and that helps us to be content in the moment....and contentment produces joy.

This is why people who don't know the Lord tend to make quick, knee jerk decisions that don't always make sense long term. They are living in the now and how they feel at this moment. And because their life is only about them...they are trying to make themselves happy. Chasing from event to event, purchase to purchase, shopping trip to shopping trip, vacation to vacation, to find those moments of being happy. The problem is, happiness is temporary. Turns out you can chase after happiness and moments of pleasure, but you can't chase after joy. Joy comes to you, from God.

"Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength" Nehemiah 8:10

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" Galatians 5:22-23

"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

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away" Revelation 21:4

OK, So How Does Joy Help Me Day To Day?

Once we understand the difference between happiness and joy, we can start to recognize the bigger picture and if the next emotional reaction is worth it or not. Joy settles us and helps us understand that the disciplines of each day aren't an inconvenience, but are actually building towards something that will benefit our life later or even go beyond this life. It's the difference between, "I know I'm supposed to pray everyday, but I just don't have time", and "I need to pray today because I understand where my source of power comes from to get me through today." It's still a sacrifice, but we understand and appreciate it's worth, and it's no longer an annoying hurdle to jump or big check off the list.

It's kind of like when we took our kids to Disney World for the first time. They were little, maybe six and four, or so. They knew we were going to a cool park and that Mickey Mouse and Buzz Lightyear would be there, but to them, a park was a grassy area with trees, a swing set and slides. And it didn't make a lot of sense in all the fuss it took to get there. Why did we have to get up early in the morning to catch our flight? Why did we have to wait patiently in long lines at the airport? Why did we have to battle tummy sickness on the flight with saltines and apple juice? This was not fun. Every step was new and difficult and scary, but once we got there and they had a huge "Ah ha" moment and suddenly got it. Wow...Disney World was totally worth all the pain of getting there! Suddenly, the sacrifices were still sacrifices, but the perspective was different and the sacrifices weren't so bad...

Joy In The Crazy!

So be encouraged. I bet you're doing better that you think. Sadly, the crazy isn't going away, in fact it's probably going to get worse, but if we have Jesus, we have a super power in the Holy Spirit. Choose joy and lean on scripture to rise up above the daily frustrating details. Take the time to pray each day, read a chapter in your Bible, and make sure to have some Christian music on to encourage your heart. The result will be a peace that passes all understanding and Joy in the crazy. And don't be afraid to remind yourself, out loud in the car when you're alone if needed, that God is good, this situation is temporary and it ain't Disney World we're traveling towards...but a heaven that is so much better. I can't wait for the "ah ha moment", when we get there.

Keep praying and keep going:)

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Here are of my favorite books to encourage daily joy in the crazy:

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (Amazon)

God's Promises For Your Every Need by Thomas Nelson and A. Gill (Amazon)

The Power Of A Praying Wife Book Of Prayers by Stormie Omartian (Amazon)

The Power Of A Praying Mom: Powerful Prayers For You And Your Children by Stormie Omartian (Amazon)

The Women Of The Bible Speak by Shannon Bream (Amazon)

Scottie Asay

Scottie is the Co-Owner of Steve Asay Creates, with her husband, artist, Steve Asay. She loves Jesus first, her husband and kids next and then traveling, cooking, decorating, Jane Austen, and a good tea party.