The word “joy” appears in the Bible over 155 times (not including “joyful” and “joyous”). There’s a difference between happiness and joyfulness.
3John 1:4 - “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
Joy is lasting and peaceful. Jesus and God’s Word is the key to our joy. We can be joyful in any circumstance and sometimes our inner joy grows even stronger in adversity.
We are happy when our circumstances are pleasant and going well. However, happiness is fleeting and superficial because when our circumstances change—as they inevitably do—then our happiness fades away.
Through success or failure, joy remains; it brings contentment, even through trials. We then learn and grow in Christ from those trials and are able to share with others what He has done in our life, bringing encouragement.
For a parent, there is no greater joy than to know their child is walking with Him; to know that no matter what this life brings, Jesus will hold them safely in His arms.
Proverbs 22:6 - “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
For the greatest joy while living comes to me when I am giving … giving children the bread of life and watching them grow. Ephesians 6:4 - “… but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
Proverbs 23:13-14 – “Withhold not correction from the child … 14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.”
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