We all believe we want to be happy. Take a few moments to think about what you believe makes you happy.

Is it owning stuff like cars, boats, 4X4’s, new shoes, jewelry, or clothes. Is it social interactions? Watching children laughing and playing together, walking hand in hand with the one you love, playing board games with friends? Do you like to watch romcoms or laugh at funny comedians? Is it going on vacations, taking trips to exotic places? Do you enjoy going hiking, climbing mountains, or simply relaxing with a good book or a marathon of some mindless Netflix series? Perhaps working out makes you happy. Running, Lifting weights or CrossFit. Maybe it’s a good cardio workout that does it for you—bouncing around doing jumping jacks, mountain climbers and burpees—a workout that leaves you sweating your sweet checks off. For some of us, it’s to be rich and famous.

Some of these things are beneficial; some are even healthy for you. But how long do they last? Is happiness the right "thing" to pursue? Toys rust and get old. Clothing shrinks and fades. People leave you. Children grow up. Vacations become a distant memory. We get older and are unable to perform the same strenuous exercises we once could. People steal your money and fame lasts only as long as you look good!

Happiness is fleeting. Happiness is determined by events.

What happens if all you seek is happiness and you can no longer find it? Will you feel despair, sadness, a sense of being lost and abandoned, wondering what's next?

So what can we do? I have good news. In fact, this is great news. We can pursue joy instead. Jesus is where joy runs deep and strong. It is the confident assurance that God's love and provision are at work in our lives. Joy is God's gift to us. It’s a promise that God will be with us no matter what comes against us. He will be there when people leave. The money is spent. The children are all grownup, and when we get old.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9

Joy stems from our assurance and faith in Christ.

Joy penetrates the soul so deeply that even when something comes against us, our joy remains intact. Rejoice in the Lord always!

We must own our joy even if we are unhappy for a while. Our joy, trust, and faith in Jesus will sustain us through adversity, loss, persecution, and everything in between. We are called to be joy-filled all over the scriptures, to rejoice in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16). Since he never leaves us or forsakes us, we can rejoice always.

Put Jesus first that is where our joy is found.

Jesus, when we look for things to help us fill a void within us to make us happy, help us remember that it’s your joy that sustains us, and that no person, no possession, and no place can replace the joy of the Lord. Amen

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12