The joy of the Lord is my strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)
No, seriously, it is.
The more our faith matures, the more we REALLY understand that the joy that comes from our faith in God is different than anything else. It doesn’t depend on circumstances or “happiness” or what other people do or don’t do. It doesn’t depend on how successful we are at overcoming our “stuff” or dealing with the poopiness of life.
My effort has nothing to do with this type of joy.
It is simply a by-product of knowing who we are and understanding who God is.
Of really OWNING that relationship and that knowledge.
Settling into it without an agenda.
And letting go of all the other stuff.
This kind of joy goes DEEP into the core of us – it’s a feeling of acceptance and love and completeness and hope.
It’s knowing that everything is going to be ok, even when you have no idea how.
Satisfaction.
Contentment.
Regardless of what’s going on around us.
That joy is always there, even when happiness is not. Some days I feel this joy more than others.
And on those days, it is like nothing else.
Peripheral Wisdom 