Don't Worry, Be Joyful

I’m still reminiscing about songs from my last posting.  Remember the catchy song, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” by Bobby McFerrin in 1988?  Nice tune with a nice message.  And while I have nothing against the word, happy, I find it too temporary and quickly fleeting.  It’s great to be happy, but happiness is an emotion that fades quickly in the face of coming challenges we face daily. 

What I seek is something deeper.  Something that doesn’t fade even when challenges and daily struggles come our way.  Something I can cling to like a life preserver while floating out in the stormy ocean.  The best way to describe that feeling, that quality, is with the word joyful.

To be joyful goes beyond emotion. It goes deeper and is embedded into our very essence, that is, our soul.  Tied into being joyful is having a confidence, a conviction so rooted into who we are as a person that even on the days we take a hit from life’s challenges, it’s still there, like a candle flame that cannot be blown out.  The light stays lit.

As the child’s song goes, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart to stay.”  Nothing against Bobby McFerrin.  I still like his song, too, but for me, I’ve also got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart; down in my heart to stay.

And where does that joy in my heart come from?  Well, if you don’t know the lyrics to that children’s song, then read on my friends:

·       May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

·       Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

·       This is the day the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

·       But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice -- let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them -- let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them (Psalm 5:11)

·       When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.  (Psalm 94:19)

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