March 4, 2010
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“Happiness comes from outside circumstances. Joy comes from within. It’s cruel to say to people who are in sorrow, “Smile and be happy.” It’s better to come alongside and mourn with them than to try to force the square peg of happiness into a round hole of sorrow. The human life is a life of tragedy, sorrow, heartache, and pain. Yet in every difficulty, you can find joy. Happiness is an outside job. Joy is an inside job.”
Adrian Rogers
“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4
Comments (5)
I believe pain is an oddity of life, meant to be conquered. She will have a hard road ahead of her, but a zest for life must from from the individual, from within. I agree that joy must come from within. But I believe joy can bring happiness even in the hardest of trials.
Hey you :0) Good post. I remember the first time I heard the happiness/joy circumstance concept and I have since found it to definitely be true. It must go along with the concept of Jesus before He is going to be murdered telling His disciples to be of good cheer that He had overcome the world. It doesn’t make sense circumstantially, but in the timelessness of our existence with Jesus Christ it does. It’s hard to get our minds to think this way in a world where everything is in the now.
Ironically the True Love Waits movement is popular within a culture that is certain that witchcraft and some Christianity will build a nice little heaven right here on earth. (With the help of the military of course) But Jesus said He was going away to prepare a place for the people who BELIEVE Him, and that He Himself was coming back to take us there to be with Him (John 14:3-6; 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18). He also said, as did His disciples and the prophets of the Old Testament that the earth was temporary, yet men are still warring over it.
I know your somewhat into the military but I believe Jesus was serious about “putting the sword away”. There is a lot of justification for the peace that comes from the safety of the military, but isn’t that really at the crux of the circumstantial happiness and the joy in the presence of Jesus, in His Word, in His promises etc…in a world that, according to Biblical prophecy is never going to get it right?
“He who dwells in the secret place of the shadow of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty, I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:1
I love you man, thanks for your post, and this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqTFNfeDnE is very encouraging, check it out. :0)
@letseewhatthiswilldo - Thanks Charles!
You are right “but in the timelessness of our existence with Jesus Christ it does. It’s hard to get our minds to think this way in a world where everything is in the now. ” and this applies with my sister and our family just now. Did you read the details on my last post? It can be hard to think in a joy filled way in the face of continued pain in the 9 to 10 range and thinking it may continue to your last breath. This is where I’m trying to take her in the face of this problem , baack to Jesus and His love while our vapor of life remains.
I think I’m more into the design and preformance of the planes and ships and mobile components in the military. I also support in prayer and respect those who risk their live to allow for my continued free life to worship Jesus in a church He leds me to and able to speak of him in public with out fear of arrest and harm for doing so. I know true safty is only in the hands of God and God allows the Gov. to exist to help reduce violence and to reduce the caos in the live of the people living under its rule.
Thank you for the Word of God and pleas pray for Tammie my sister.
In His hope and love,
Barry
I see your point, and I understand. I will pray for you sister. Have a good sunday
Good good point.
I hope then that your joy will remain.