God's Secret!
"These things I have spoken to you,
that My joy may remain in you,
and that your joy may be full."
John 15: 11
In March 2022, CNN reported on the
findings of
the World Happiness Report, a United Nations
publication. The report ranked 150 nations in
the world in terms of happiness.
For the fifth time, Finland rated the happiest
nation and with Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland,
Netherlands, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway,
Israel, and New Zealand rounding out the
top ten.
Happiness is based on circumstances, but joy
goes
deeper. It's a sense of peace and contentment in spite
of circumstances. Bible acknowledges both happiness
and joy, but focuses on the latter when it
comes to
persevering during hard times.
When writing from prison in Rome, Paul stressed
contentment (joy) in spite of his circumstances. He
had “learned . . . to be content” (Philippians 4:11),
suggesting it was a “secret” (verse 12, NASB) and
realizing “I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me” (verse 13).
Christ wants us to be full of joy,
to be content in all things. Make sure
that His joy is abiding in you
today.
"Joy in the Lord should
be the loftiest of joy."
Charles Spurgeon