Category Archives: positive

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The Difference Between Happiness and Joy

We find ourselves so busy and distracted on most days that we miss out on the real blessings of life. We get caught up in the pursuit of a living a fulfilling life by continually seeking moments of happiness and joy, often using these terms interchangeably and missing out on both. It is good to stop every now and then to take a little bit deeper exploration that can reveal some distinct nuances between these emotions, each carrying its own significance in our emotional landscape and our ability to live the blessed life we were created for.

Happiness is often seen as an emotional state characterized by contentment, pleasure, and satisfaction derived from external circumstances or events. Happiness at it’s best is fleeting, dependent on situations, possessions, relationships, or achievements. This transient nature makes happiness vulnerable to fluctuations; it can be attained and lost quickly. Just as quickly as we get up, we can find ourselves right back down, if we are totally dependent upon happiness for our satisfaction and fulfillment.

Conversely, joy transcends those transient moments; it’s an enduring and profound emotion that originates from within. Joy is an inner sense of peace, contentment, and gratitude regardless of external circumstances. It can coexist even amidst hardships, difficulties, or uncertainties. It’s a profound sense of well-being that springs from a deeper connection with oneself, others, or something greater than oneself. Joy is a gift of God to His creation.

While happiness is often a reaction to external stimuli, joy is more intrinsic and often linked to spiritual, emotional, or psychological well-being. Happiness may come and go with life’s ups and downs, but joy provides a stable undercurrent, shaping our outlook on life and opening us to receive the greater blessings that God has for us, regardless of the circumstances and situations of life.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. -Galatians 5:22-23

Understanding the differences between happiness and joy can be life transforming. Pursuing happiness might involve seeking fleeting pleasures, whereas cultivating joy involves nurturing a sense of gratitude, mindfulness, and embracing life’s experiences with acceptance and openness.

The pursuit of happiness is valid, but solely chasing it may lead to a perpetual state of dissatisfaction, as external factors fluctuate. On the other hand, nurturing joy can provide a more stable and profound sense of contentment and purpose.

In essence, both happiness and joy play essential roles in our emotional well being and personal growth. Happiness brings moments of delight and satisfaction in the external world, while joy acts as an internal anchor, providing a deeper and more profound sense of fulfillment and peace.

Finding a balance between both emotions is key to living a fulfilling life. Striving for happiness in everyday experiences while cultivating joy through practices like mindfulness, gratitude, and fostering meaningful connections can create a harmonious blend, which enriches our human experience.

Ultimately, acknowledging and appreciating the differences between happiness and joy allows us to navigate life’s challenges with a more holistic perspective, leading to a life infused with both fleeting moments of happiness and a steadfast sense of inner joy. A life that is worth the living that gives glory to God and brings blessings to all around…

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One Of The Enemy’s Greatest Tools Is Fear!

Satan is your enemy and he uses a lot of different tools against you. One of his favorite tools to employ against Believers is fear, because he knows that if he can overcome your faith with fear, that he can leave you on the side of the road in a ditch, wondering what hit you???

At some point when we are just tiny children, fear begins to make its way into our lives. It may be the fear of being left behind, the fear of punishment or the fear of loud noises. Most of our childhood fears can be overcome with just the assurance and realization that we are not alone.

Live life long enough and your fears get bigger and you discover that there are some times that you cannot be anything but alone. Our fear becomes so much more than a feeling, it becomes a leaving, breathing enemy that often paralyzes us and leaves us helpless, afraid and defeated.

In order to overcome this tool of the enemy, we have to remember that we are never alone, because God has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. The simple reminder that God is with us is often just the power we need to break out of the stronghold of fear.

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” -Deuteronomy 31:8

Never allow fear to overcome your faith, instead place your faith in God and allow God and His love, strength and power to overcome any fear that the enemy happens to bring your way. In God, your faith will always overcome fear and lead you to blessing and victory…

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What If You Really Believed?

Not Everyone Has Jesus, But They Can!

It’s not politically correct now a days to talk about Jesus, but it will always be spiritually correct and spiritually correct is more important than any other kind of correctness we can ever achieve. It is possible to know about Jesus and not know Jesus. Knowing Jesus in a personal relationship is what makes the supernatural difference in our life that allows us to have life changing connection with our Creator.

I like to think of life divided into three major areas: Physical, Mental and Spiritual. If we ever hope to take the physical and mental to it’s greatest place, then it will be because we have first worked on developing and strengthening the spiritual part of our life with a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

This is why we should see Jesus not just as God’s Son and not just as a Savior, but also as a mentor and life coach. When we read the story of Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, this is exactly what we see Jesus doing. Jesus is leading, mentoring, guiding, directing, training, teaching his disciple how to live and see life and eternity from a totally different perspective than the rest of the world.

I mean think about it for just a minute: A really good guy through the ministry of life coaching mentored twelve guys and a group of followers for three years and changed the world! The results of Jesus as a LIFE COACH still impact our lives today!

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. -1 John 4:9

What could Jesus do with your life if you allowed him to life coach and mentor you through his Church and Word? How would your life look different physically, mentally and spiritually, if you allow the supernatural power of Heaven to flow to and through you? Why do we insist on trying to do this thing called life in our own limited weakness, when we have failed over and over again trying it our way? When are you going to get ego and self out of the way, so that you can discover what really matters? Who could you be and who does God want you to be and will you allow yourself to get there with His help?

These are the questions that matter. These are the questions that will change your life. These are the questions that we need to use to challenge and investigate our way of living. When we ask and answer these questions honestly, then we will see our need to not just know about Jesus, but to know Jesus in a real and personal way. And when we know Jesus in a real and personal way, our life will begin to line up behind his leadership and in his leadership we will find the meaning and purpose that helps us to live a life that is filled with blessing and glory for God…