With the holidays here, everything’s changing with the season: music, decorations, and people’s attitudes and interactions with each other. It’s what happens around this time of year. Just like the famous Christmas song we all know, there is beauty in these small moments of “comfort and joy”. But what is the true meaning of joy and where does it come from? Does if come from material gifts or the things of God? To the Believer, it’s much more than a feeling.

Often people confuse joy with happiness. But really, happiness is just the momentary feeling of joy due to a happening. Joy is different. It is pure and it is concentrate. Joy is inside, it lasts and it’s powerful. It is what keeps you stable in times of chaos. Having joy doesn’t mean you understand everything going on around you or that your circumstances are always pleasant. Joy comes from understanding your life is in God’s hands and that’s where your comfort lies.

Don’t be caught up in thinking joy only comes when you get something. Things go away. True joy must be sturdier than material things or ever changing situations. Joy is not attached to you getting something and it’s not attached to this world.

God is the only true source of joy and the comfort that comes with it. 2 Corinthians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort…”

God brings the fullness of joy; not in part, not in pieces. Psalm 16:11, “In thy presence is fullness of joy.” Being in the presence of the Maker…that is joy.

You’re joy filled by God’s purposes, not just by what life brings you. It’s ok to enjoy things in life, and it’s ok to be happy with things you have in life. But the fullness of life and true joy can only come from God.