Everyone enjoys being happy. We love it when those around us are happy, and everything seems right. Our founders wrote about the pursuit of happiness, songs are written, and movies are made about being happy, and while we spend a lot of time and energy trying to do just that, those sweet moments of time still seem fleeting at best and elusive at worst. Happiness is one more area of life that can so easily knock us out of phase, but why?

This is due to the circumstantial nature of happiness. When our thoughts are focused on circumstances alone, we can easily become lost in the deep weeds of experiences, passions, and emotions. It is not that it is wrong to be happy or to desire it when we are not. It is simply that happiness is not, or should not be, our life’s ambition.

So, how do we keep our desire for happiness from knocking us out of phase? As I considered this question, I was reminded of a handful of people in my life who seemed genuinely happy. In each case, as I have gotten close to them, I have realized that they have experienced struggle and heartache, just like the rest of us, but it is not happiness I have seen, but joy.

While happiness is situational, joy is attitudinal.

The prophet Nehemiah wrote:

Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”Nehemiah 8:10 NLT

The Joy of the Lord transcends our circumstances, helping us see beyond the moment and strengthening us for the very purpose for which we were made.

Crucifixion is anything but a happy occasion, and yet the writer of Hebrews speaks of Jesus looking beyond the cross to the joy His sacrifice would accomplish.

“…let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyeson Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.…” Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT

So, how do we keep our happiness in phase? By choosing joy.

The apostle Paul said it this way:

Always be joyful. Continually be prayerful. In everything be thankful, because this is God’s will for you in the Messiah Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ISV