I was thinking this morning on my run a bit more about my dad and about hard stuff like his accident that come our way sometimes. I remembered a book called You've Gotta Keep on Dancin' about a guy named Tim Hansel who also had a climbing accident and who has lived with chronic pain after the fall.
He writes, "the word happiness comes from the same root at the word happening, suggesting that happiness is based on something happening to us. Happiness is circumstantial. If I pay off my car, I'm happy. If I get a new shirt, I'm happy. If my friends say nice things, I'm happy. There is nothing wrong with happiness. It's wonderful. The only problems is that it's based on circumstances, and circumstances have a tendency to shift....
Joy, on the other hand, is something which defies circumstances and occurs in spite of difficult situations. Whereas happiness is a feeling, joy is an attitude. A posture. A position. A place....
If we are going to have this kind of joy in our lives, we must first discover what it looks like. It is not a feeling; it is a choice. It is not based on circumstances; it is based upon attitude. It is free, but it is not cheap. It is the by-product of a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a promise, not a deal. It is available to use when we make ourselves available to him. It is something that we can receive by invitation and by choice. It requires commitment, courage, and endurance."
He writes, "the word happiness comes from the same root at the word happening, suggesting that happiness is based on something happening to us. Happiness is circumstantial. If I pay off my car, I'm happy. If I get a new shirt, I'm happy. If my friends say nice things, I'm happy. There is nothing wrong with happiness. It's wonderful. The only problems is that it's based on circumstances, and circumstances have a tendency to shift....
Joy, on the other hand, is something which defies circumstances and occurs in spite of difficult situations. Whereas happiness is a feeling, joy is an attitude. A posture. A position. A place....
If we are going to have this kind of joy in our lives, we must first discover what it looks like. It is not a feeling; it is a choice. It is not based on circumstances; it is based upon attitude. It is free, but it is not cheap. It is the by-product of a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a promise, not a deal. It is available to use when we make ourselves available to him. It is something that we can receive by invitation and by choice. It requires commitment, courage, and endurance."
So, the next time, you have a terrible, horrible, no good very bad day (like Alexander in that classic children's book), may God bless you with the grit to choose joy and to look to God for your perspective.
email from Elizabeth:
ReplyDeleteDear Emily, (and Liam)
I am finding Liam’s writings so incredibly powerful dear friend. I have been thinking a lot about happiness (but probably joy) because of the way that I find people who are living in Malawi either happy or not. Many of them share circumstances and yet they have different experiences about the circumstances. I feel that I am joyful here, I am also very aware that God is very present in my mind when I am here. I think it is about humility and vulnerability leading to reliance on God which leads to Joy. I think this is one of the reasons I feel like I wanted my boys to experience Malawi.
I am boarding my LONG 17 hour flight here soon. Emily, I hope I can see you briefly before you leave.
Liam, I am so eager to give you a big squeeze and bring love from so many people who miss you.
xoxo