Thursday, December 13, 2007

Joy (That Indescribable Feeling That Wells Up Inside Us)


Joy is different from happiness although to many, they may mean the same. Happiness is contingent upon the realization of a cherished goal or want. Happiness is an external manifestation of that feeling of elation over a positive development in one's life.

We may be happy because we hit the jackpot in a lottery, or we landed a big business deal, or our child won in a spelling bee contest in school, and so many other positive developments in our lives that give us that feeling of wellness and exuberance inside.

Not so with joy. Joy is from the Creator. It is the feeling of indescribable joy that is not contingent on any external circumstances or situations in one's life. One may be in the most miserable and dangerous situation in life and still be in the state of indescribable or overflowing joy. Why? Because indescribable or overflowing joy is anchored on the firm hope and faith of the believer in the promise of His Creator.

Have you ever thought about the reasons why the early Christians exuded that indescribable joy even though they were persecuted, crucified and fed to the lions by their Roman tormentors?

The frenzied mob that flocked the Coliseum during those times were awestruck by the stoic faith and calm in the faces of those Christian martyrs as they were mauled to death by lions, or were burned alive at the cross, or were mercilessly slaughtered by war toughened gladiators.

Expecting that the victims would be so hysterical and fight their tormentors to preserve their own lives, the audience were treated to a sight seemingly out of this world.

The Christians were looking up to heaven and were singing praise and worship to their Creator. Why? Because they were clinging to that cherished hope that they will be with their Creator in His blissful abode after their impending demise.

If we are at peace with our Creator and we know that we are walking in His will, then we have that same indescribable and overflowing joy in our hearts. No matter what the circumstances may be, we may be living in the most wretched situation, yet that same indescribable and overflowing joy will remain in our hearts until we see the day of our eventual deliverance and return to the bosom of our Creator.


Joy To The World


Posted by Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational

18 comments:

ceedy said...

Joy to you and your family too my friend - have a great and wonderful joyful holidays....

cheers

Noushy Syah said...

Hallo Mel,
How was your day? Hopefully you're much more better than yesterday especially of your health.

Happiness is a state of cheerfulness for temporarily only while joy is everlasting!

To a believer,loving God is a genuine feelings of satisfaction and joy that no one could take it away even when obstacles struck...however,the happiness mood could be altered at anytime when something undesirable happens, for example bad news such an accident, death etc.

My 2cents.

Have a gr8 w/end Mel.Keep smiling.

Mississippi Songbird said...

Joy to the world and God bless you and your family..
Merry Christmas!

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Ceedy,
Thanks for your visit and for your generous comments. Have a joyful and blessed Christmas too. God bless you and your loved ones with the very best that this world can give.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Noushy,
Thank you my dear friend for your very inspiring comments. We must all strive to have that joy in our hearts through correct relationship with our Creator. I know you have that joy in your heart because you are at peace with God. Thanks again for your usual visit. God bless you with all the joys and happiness in the world. Have a wonderful and blessed holiday season.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Mississippi Songbird,
Thanks for your visit and thanks too for your inspiring comments. Merry Christmas to you and your family too. I hope the holiday season will bring you comfort and joy as you overcome the tragedy that struck your family. God bless you with the finest gifts that only He can give to you. Have a wonderful and blessed holiday season to all of you.

Raghu Ram Prasad said...

joy and enjoy with full cheerfulness......CHRISTMAS is comming ENJOY...

Kalinka said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kalinka said...

Que la Luz y La Paz de Dios inunde tu casa !!
Feliz Navidad para ti.

Hi Mel Avila
Nice place here, I like it.

"...But don't forget the songs
That made you cry
And the songs that saved your life
And when you're dancing and laughing
And finally living
Hear my voice in your head
And think of me kindly..."
(Morrissey)

Sameera Ansari said...

That was a very meaningful post,full of insight.Many a time we tend to mistake happiness for joy.Blessed are those who have moments of joy and do realize it as well.

May you have many such moments my friend.God Bless You always.Take care.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Raghu,
Thanks for your visit and for the inspiring comments. Let joy reign in your heart too this coming holiday season. Thanks again. Have a wonderful and peaceful holiday season.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Kalinka,
Nice of you to visit my blog and for your compliment. To God be the glory. I will be visiting your blog too as soon as I have the time. Thanks again. Have a nice and peaceful day. God bless. Gracias.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Sameera,
Thanks for your usual visit my friend. It is always a joyous occasion to see your comments on my post. Thanks for your usual generous and inspiring comments. May your heart be filled with joy this coming holiday season. God bless. Have a wonderful and pleasant day in Dubai.

WritingsForLife said...

wow... I never thought about joy and happiness from that perspective before and I have to say that I agree with your philosophy. Nice post.

Thank you for your generous comments on "December" but I would like to mention that I am a writer and I write so many different types of things and for different audiences. 'December' has nothing to do with my life. It is just a poem. I'd like my readers to appreciate/criticize my writings for its content as they seldom have much to do with my personal life.
:-)
Cheers and have a blessed day!

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Raaji,
Thanks for your visit and for your generous comments. My comments of your poem is my own appreciation of what I interpret it to be. Of course, I am not privy to your own inner feelings and the rationale for your post. Thanks again for your visit. Have a wonderful and pleasant day.

Team Arthur said...

So, we agree.

Christmas is birth of Jesus Christ, and nothing else.

Merry Christmas and happy new year.

Huge greetings and huge hugs

Sweet Dreams and Nice Day, fro the bottom of our hearts and with our whole souls:
Arthur & Gusthav

Sheila Lu said...

Happy new year! Thank you for sharing your thoughts here. They're very inspiring...

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Sheilalu,
Never thought someone would still make a comment on my back post. Thanks anyway for your visit and your generous comments. I will be visiting your blog very soon to have a peek. God bless and thanks again.


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