Happiness is based upon what is happening.  It is based on outward circumstances.  If things are “going my way,” then I am happy.

Joy doesn’t rely on outward circumstances.  Joy isn’t based on what is happening.  Joy comes from the inside.  One can experience joy even in difficult times.

Consider Joy – Joy McDonald, that is.  Let’s call her Mama Joy, as she is known and loved by many in faraway Ryali, India.

Mama Joy experienced a lot of difficulties in her life.  For the last 50 years of her life, her body was plagued with the effects of rheumatoid arthritis.  One obvious effect was the joint deformity in her hands.  She also suffered with stiffness in the joints of her body and untold pain.  If Mama Joy fell – and she did on occasion – she was unable to brace her fall, so she would (and did) fall flat on her face, literally.

Someone who experienced the things Mama Joy did might become bitter and mean.  But not Mama Joy!  Mama Joy was full of joy; she exuded joy.

How could Mama Joy have so much joy when she experienced so many difficulties?

She was surrounded by people who loved and cared for her.  Bud, her loving husband of over 72 years, was her faithful companion and caregiver.  One would be amazed at how Bud responded – lovingly, faithfully, creatively – to the needs of his wife.  Their six children and extended family were also loving and helpful to Mama Joy.  Friends and fellow Christians, who were also “family” to Mama Joy, were also eager to help out in any way possible.

The truth is: Mama Joy was easy to love.  She loved others genuinely and deeply.  It was easy to reciprocate her love.

Mama Joy also experienced joy because of her faith in and love for God.  She knew that no matter how difficult life could get at times that nothing could separate her from the love of God (Romans 8:35-39) and nothing could prevent the fulfillment of His precious promises (Romans 4:20-21).  Mama Joy knew that joy is not the absence of trouble but the presence of God.

Mama Joy experienced joy and brought joy to all who knew her.  If you knew Mama Joy, you loved her.  If you knew Mama Joy, you know joy.

The life and love of Mama Joy echo the words of the Apostle Paul:

“Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, Rejoice!”
– Philippians 4:4

True joy is found in Jesus for He died on the cross for our sins so that we can be saved and so that we can experience joy – now and for eternity.

God will save and give eternal life and joy to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Her name is Joy.  So fitting.  She embodied joy.  She shared it with others.  She showed us what it is.  Thank you, God, for joy and for Joy.

-- David A. Sargent