Joy -- Where to get it and how to keep it

We currently live in a society that is all about self love and treating yourself. This society says do everything possible to make life the best it can be for YOU. You have to love yourself before you can love other people. YOU deserve it. (Whatever "it" may be.)

But have you seen how unhappy people are all the time? Have you noticed all the fighting and hatred currently going on? Have you been effected by heavy toxicness and unhealthy relationships lately? Why is it that among this self love solution things are worse than ever? (Statistically speaking, mental illnesses like depression and anxiety are at an all time high -- see bulleted list below for examples.)

I know from personal experience that living the way our culture claims will cure the happiness hunger does NOT, in fact, cure the happiness hunger. It leaves you feeling empty and the opposite of productive. Once you know this, it's easy to see past the facade someone may be trying to put up on social media.

The thing is, happiness is temporary and fleeting. Happiness is situational, whereas JOY is enduring in every type of situation. Joy is more than just a feeling that happens because someone does something nice for you. It becomes part of who you are. People look at you and see joy.

Joy can carry you through the thick mud that tries to suction off your shoes on a long journey (metaphorically speaking, of course lol). But happiness?!! As soon as you step foot into rough terrain, KISS THOSE SHOES GOODBYE. The world is ending. There is no hope for you.

I don't know about you, but I want lasting joy. I want consistency in my heart and mind no matter my external situations.

Now the question is WHERE does one draw their joy from? What's the resource? You don't just get it from a stranger paying for your coffee or a cop letting you off on a warning. (That's happiness.) It's gotta come from deep within.

The cool thing about the word joy is that it's literally a reminder on how to get it within itself. It's a handy dandy acronym that I've been using for about eight years now. ARE YOU READY FOR THIS!?!?!?!

Jesus

Others

Yourself

In that order.

So when you read the Bible you must read in context. However! Many verses can be applied to our day to day situations as we try to navigate life. That's what the Bible was written for. The verses I'm providing, I believe, can help you take steps in finding joy.

Matthew 6:33

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

SEEK FIRST... The Lord. That's step number one.

Philippians 2:3

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."

There's the next one that comes before you.

And last but not least:

Matthew 22:37-39

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"

Keep note that it doesn't exclude you entirely. Don't think that I'm saying to neglect yourself because that would be bad. At the end of that last example, pretty much Jesus is saying you should love yourself too. But think about the first two things first.

Noting all the times I've applied this J.O.Y. concept in my own life, I can 1,000% see how true this is. When I think selfishly and think about what will benefit me and my situation, I get trapped in my own mind and it becomes unhealthy. I know I'm not the only one that gets tripped up in overthinking and dissatisfaction.

Not only is putting God and others before yourself important because Jesus said so, but you're humbling yourself and serving the Kingdom. That is productivity at it's finest. Nothing feels better than when you have a productive day. Now picture a productive day where it's changing eternities and growing your faith. God is the priority and people are taken care of. That's a win win win win win win win win win.

My biggest desire in life is for people to have and keep the Joy of the Lord. The Joy of the Lord is my strength!! (Nehemiah 8:10b) So I hope you can take some of my life experience, (I guess if I'm being honest...) wisdom, and research and consider how you can apply this to yourself! If you've been feeling unhappy (happiness is overrated), dissatisfied, or unfulfilled... I guarantee a good dose of (everlasting) joy is what can get you out of that funk.

Even at the height of my uncertainty in what the heck I'm doing in life, I choose JOY. Why wouldn't I? Why wouldn't you?

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Stats from ippr.org/research

• 1,180 students left university in early 2014 -15 due to mental health problems

• 8 million people suffer from some form of anxiety disorder in the UK

• Almost five times as many students suffer from a mental health condition compared to 10 years ago

• More than 15,000 students in the UK disclosed a mental health issue in 2015 -16, compared to 3,000 in 2006

• 87,914 students requested counselling in 2015 -16, a 28% rise from 2013 – 14