Don't Worry! Be Happy!

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phillipian 4: 4-7

Back in 1988, a rather simple little song captured the attention of the world. It was sung by Bobby McFerrin and it was titled, Don't Worry. Be Happy. Here are a few of the lyrics:

In every life we have some trouble/ When you worry you make it double/ Don't worry, be happy.
Ain't got no place to lay your head/ Somebody came and took your bed/ Don't worry, be happy.
The landlord say your rent is late/ He may have to litigate/ Don't worry, be happy.
Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style/ Ain't got no gal to make you smile/ But don't worry, be happy.

The song made it clear that life is hard! But don't worry! Be happy!

To many people, that might be what they think Paul is talking about in Philippians 4: 4-7. Paul, however, is going a bit deeper than Bobby McFerrin. Paul isn't just talking about happiness. Paul is talking about joy!

So what's the difference between happiness and joy? Happiness is something we try to conjure up ourselves. Happiness is all about us. If we find enough pleasures in this life, then we will be happy. If we feel down, eat a candy bar. That will make you happy. Or buy a new pair of shoes. That will make you really happy!! Find the right purse, drive the latest car, move to the nicest neighborhood! Sheer happiness!

The problem is, these things make us happy for a while, but eventually the happiness fades.

Joy has more substance. More depth. Joy doesn't depend on our circumstances and it doesn't slowly fade away like the morning dew. Truth be told, joy doesn't depend on us at all! That's why Paul can tell believers to be full of joy. Why? Because, like it says in verse 5, the Lord is near!

Someone once wrote, "Joy is not the absense of pain, but the presense of God." And when He is near, when we have prayed to Him about our worries and concerns, He goes one step further. Paul tells us that He guards our hearts. Satan is always ready to try to steal our joy, but God is near. He not only shares our concerns; He doesn't only guards our hearts. He gives us something that the candy bar can't offer; God gives His children peace.

Your Father is near, beloved. Rejoice!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your gift of joy. Forgive us when we try to find joy in places where it can't be found. Patiently teach us, Father, that true joy is only found in knowing You.

* This is a part of a Devotional Carnival hosted by Rachel Olsen. To see more devotions on the topic of JOY, please visit http://rachelolsen.blogspot.com/