“One of the characteristics of the Christian is inward joy. Even under difficult circumstances, there will be a joyful heart and a radiant face. Unfortunately, many Christians go around with droopy faces that give no outshining glory to God. A true Christian should be relaxed and radiant, capable of illuminating and not depressing his surrounding.
I have found in my travels that those who keep Heaven in view remain serene and cheerful on the darkest day. In all ages people have found it possible to maintain the spirit of joy in the hour of trial.
There are times when I feel I don’t have joy, and I get on my knees and say, “Lord, where is the fruit of the Spirit of joy in my life?” I find that the joy is there down deep – it is a deep river.
Whatever the circumstance, there IS a river of JOY!”
Billy Graham
What really is joy?
What are the times in which you have experienced real joy?
Are joy and happiness the same thing?
hugs n’ blessings for JOY LIVED OUT LOUD!
hugsnblessings 
For me, joy is the next step up from happiness. But that’s just how I define it.
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That’s a beautiful perspective, Ann! Our Parish Priest taught us many, many years ago a definition of Joy as: J=Jesus, O=Others, and Y=Yourself. When we live our lives in this order we come to experience the deepest meaning of JOY. (I AM THIRD.) 😊 And I must attest this definition has produced great blessings in my own life….
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Thank you Dawn. I have personally found that this God joy and being happy are not the same. We can be happy even ‘content’ with our circumstances but JOY God’s Gift is the often unexpected bubble from the River Of God Life that transforms a moment and internally grabs our heart and we are strengthened with future HOPE. Blessings!
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I love this, Faye! Your words are always an inspiration to me. 😊 I find there is always a great difference and deeper meaning between living a “happy” life vs a “holy” one. Grateful to God for appreciating this life-giving difference…. Hugs to you for sharing your wisdom.
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