Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Last night I talked to a friend about the loss of a close family member.  I asked how his family was dealing with the sudden loss of this family leader just a few days ago.  His answer would have surprised many.  He said, “we are good, everyone was happy that his illness didn’t last long”…  My friend said this with a joyful voice.

How can we deal with a situation as devastating as sudden death and yet remain joyful?  Well yesterday Linda told me a little saying she heard this week that seems to hold the key…

“JOY = Jesus > Others > Yourself.”

That’s the key to Joy… Counting our own desires for our own wants and needs less than those of others and even more so, less than our desire for Jesus and the direction that He has for us.

When our heart and our desires align with God’s will for our lives and our wants are no longer about us, but about Him and His work, this is when we become joyful in all situations.

John 16:24 explains how joy can take over and fill us.

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

A joyful life is much more fulfilling than a life without joy.  We all know people without joy.  When I see or hear someone like that I always think to myself, what a long miserable life that must be.  But in contrast, when we see someone that is filled with joy, nothing deters them.  They are not brought down my small disappointments and challenges

How would you rather spend the rest of your life, full of joy or without joy.  It’s a simple choice and its your choice to make.

I choose joy.