trbccoffeebreak

“for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.” Psalm 63:7 (ESV)

Where’s your happy place? You know the perfect spot for fun, relaxation, just chilling – the one spot that always brings a smile to your face. For me that spot has always been the calming waves of the ocean. I love sitting on the edge of sand and watching God orchestrating the perfect crash to shore. Can’t get enough of the warm breezes and the sunsets that melt before my eyes. And the quiet early dawn as sun kisses water – totally my happy place.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if our every day unveiled happy? Have to admit, I’d probably love it for quite a while, but even happy can be overrated. Despite all the joy money, time or people can buy, we eventually realize there’s a deep whole inside us that happy can’t fill.

Discontentment sprouts weeds even in the presence of happy. Boredom settles in quickly when ease overcomes us. Complacency moves in displacing perceived momentary joy. Our souls were created for so much more than the perfect spot, best day or the easy life.

We thrive in the midst of challenges. We grow when hard places teach us deep lessons. We experience strength in the face of adversity. We gain deep insight nestled close to disappointment. We embrace contentment when we zero in on the One who gives everlasting joy.

So sweet friends the real issue isn’t elusive happy – it’s a realization that feelings and emotions will at times leave us empty. They fluctuate constantly creating an unstable place to land. Joy, however, is rooted deep within us. It’s a vibrant fruit of God’s Spirit indwelling us regardless of our circumstances. No one steal it away. No one can rob us of its presence. Joy is only denied when we quench the very Spirit of God living within us.

Happy place or joy – the choice is up to us. We can settle for happy or we can allow God’s Spirit to fill us to overflowing with His joy despite our circumstances. Don’t know about you but everlasting joy sounds incredible, unbelievable – yet its true. Even when happy evades us, joy will give us the confidence that our God is working all things for our good. We can rest in His tender care and embrace the closeness He offers – now that’s a real happy place.

“Father Your joy is beyond anything we could ever imagine. Praising You for filling us up, sustaining us and drawing us safely under Your wings.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life