We often use the terms happy and joy (joyous in anticipation) synonymously. Happy is a reaction to the immediate environment and circumstance, truly a flash in the pan, as it made me happy, I was happy to see you ,that it really makes me happy. Consequently when things go a rye then that makes me unhappy, I was unhappy and disappointed by the outcome.If things would only change so I can be happy.
Joy is a state of being, being joyful in all things and in all circumstances.
How easy it is to be happy when Gods will and my will agree, when he sees it my way. What happens when Gods will and my will clash. How often life on lifes terms seems more like a barren negotiation. When the time comes that being sober is uncomfortable and we become irritable and discontent and the prospect of happiness is a sold out event. The veil of tears has no end and try as you may you cant find a friend. Whats killing you is making you stronger but your strength cant carry you away.
How often did the things we wished for turned out to be bitter and brokenand the things thatwe would recoiled from turned out to be just what the doctor ordered , We have learned that acceptance was the key and patience was the lock that opened wide the door to never ending joy.
We accept our place in the world knowing that we are no longer in charge and accept all that we are heir to from a loving andall knowing God We do the next right thing ,do all that we can do ,and let go of the outcome absolutely. We learn to live in a grateful expectation and joy and its first cousin serenity is our reward. No great highs no great lows steady as she goes and we shall know peace.
I wish you Joy and if not Joy I wish you peace, and if not peace I wish you contentment and if not contentment I wish you acceptance and I wish you acceptance that you might know joy.
Thanks for the post. What an uplifting message. God's will is that we should be joyous, free and happy. It is His earnest desire. Many of us do not realise that, and we live defeated lives and live resigned to the fact that this is how life should be. When I first grasped this truth through working the steps, I found that there is no place for sadness and bondage. We are children of a loving God, not chattle slaves. Now I ask whether I am joyous, free and happy. If not I go back through the steps and I usually find that self has manifested itself again, generally in the form of resentment and once I treat it as suggested in the BB book, I am good again. Thanks once again Joseph. The forum needs more posts like these.
