When people are asked what they wish for in their lives, I’ve often heard them say they wish they could just be happy. I’ve never heard anyone say they would like to have joy.

The big difference between being happy and having joy is that being happy, according to the dictionary, is favored by circumstances or having a feeling of great pleasure. Being happy is temporary; it doesn’t last long.

When speaking at drug treatment centers, I jokingly tell alcoholics the barrooms have “Happy Hour.”

That should tell you it won’t last.

A few weeks ago, a message from a daily spiritual devotional was titled “Don’t let bad news steal your joy.”

In Nehemiah 8:10, the Bible says: “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

That is to encourage Christians they never have to be dejected or sad. Joy, unlike happiness, is eternal, not temporary.

What’s going on in the world today is mostly negative and bad news. The Bible is still the most popular book ever.

It’s also the best seller and it is distributed throughout the world. It’s a positive book and Christians, being human, may be tempted to allow bad news to rob their joy.

It’s then they need to push the rejoice button and reset their spiritual lives. God is moving and Christians can trust Him, because they have something to celebrate — eternal life.

If you have any questions or comments, please write Harold Keller at Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA70084, call 985-652-8477 or email hkeller@comcast.net.