"Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise before the Lord, for he is coming!" Psalm 95:12 - 13

Consider It Pure Joy

At the time of this writing, Indiana has been under an executive Stay-at-Home order for several weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic. Reading the reports about what's happening in other states, I'm so thankful we live in Indiana even though I've struggled with many of the aspects of the recent changes. The physical separation from my kids and grandkids and the absence of corporate worship have been especially challenging for me. On a minor note, I miss browsing the produce aisle at the grocery and the plants at the greenhouse, and oh, yes, having my hair cut! But according to the book of James, these "trials of many kinds" offer us a unique opportunity: a chance to grow our faith.

 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1: 2 �" 3

 Joy?! Now? During this? Joy doesn't require the pleasant circumstances that happiness seems to though, choosing to want what we have can help us to experience happiness, too, during difficult times. There's a difference between joy and happiness, but they do have similarities.

 Both joy and happiness lift our spirits and brighten our days the way the goldfinch singing his little heart out at the feeder just outside my window is doing for me right at this moment. So what's the difference between joy and happiness? It's something I've wondered about for a long time, then I read the following passage the other day, and suddenly saw joy in a new light.

 . . . Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, "O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way." Luke 10:21

 Joy is about discovery! Joy is what washes over us when we "see" something new, when truth is revealed to us and we have a sudden, bold flash of understanding, especially when it relates to a deeper understanding of the attributes of our Heavenly Father. Joy results from epiphany. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word epiphany has its roots in the Greek phainein, meaning "bring to light, make appear," and phantazein "make visible, display."

 Discovery is at the heart of joy!

 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. --Acts 2:28

 "Made known." Yes! Thank you, Lord!

Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship for they walk in the light of your presence, Lord. --Psalm 89:15

Happiness is linked to joy; it is a direct result of joy, I believe. It's a causal relationship I've thought of in the wrong direction until now. Now, when I'm reading the Bible and encounter the word "joy," I'll know to look for the discovery that led to it and the happiness that follows it. Praying for good health, goldfinches singing just outside your window, and joy-producing discoveries galore during this unusual season in our lives

Daye Phillippo

May 2020