Values (Part Four): Joy

"Rejoice always;"
-1 Thessalonians 5:16
      The fourth value that I chose in this activity was joy. As soon as I saw that joy was an option, I knew I had to choose it. What is joy? Often times we think of joy as a kind of happiness, which it certainly is, but it is so much more. Happiness is an emotion, which we feel when something makes us feel good. Joy is feeling pleasure despite our circumstances. I believe it is the character of a person rather than an emotion. It is similar to patience and thankfulness; you can have it, but you can lose it.
      Paul commands the Thessalonians to "rejoice always" and to "give thanks in all circumstances". These two are very closely related. Both rejoicing and giving thanks is a choice that we have to make. These are also very difficult things to do, especially if we are not going through good times. This is the difference between happiness and joy; happiness depends on the circumstance. Joy should not depend on the circumstance. Joy means being fulfilled and delighted despite the circumstance.
      How can we be joyful even in bad times? The answer is to not find joy in the circumstance. If we are looking for joy in our circumstances, we will never be able to be continually joyful. As a matter of fact, this is true for anything in this world. If we look for joy in our friends, family, job, or money, we will be disappointed. The only way be can be joyful always is by rejoicing in God. God never changes, and He is always good. He is the source of true joy, and He is where our joy can be made complete.
      Why is important to be joyful? I think the answer to this is very simple; everyone desires it. Everyone seeks out pleasure and happiness in this world. The proof I have of this statement is the fact that so many people have a need to constantly be connected. People find a certain happiness in being able to use Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or other social media. Will these things really bring you joy however? The answer is no. These things have the capacity to make us happy, but they also can make us upset, angry, or frustrated. They are not a constant source of joy; they are a constant source of distraction.
      God created us to desire Him and have fellowship with Him. However, we have sinned and we fall short of Him everyday. I talk about this all the time, but it so true and so important for us to understand. We try to find our joy in earthly things, but they can never satisfy our desire. Why? Our desire is not for the things of this world, but for God. Only in Him can our joy be made complete.
-Smart