Joy vs Happy

You know those videos of people going up to strangers and asking if they are happy? With the response of “Yes” they give some advice on how to stay happy. The advice they give is good advice and I don’t want to diminish that. But whenever the response is “No” it’s looked at as being something wrong.

A video came across my feed explaining how having Joy is better to have than going based off how you’re feeling. I kept thinking “Well how can we not base certain events off feelings? Feelings are important when it comes to someone hurting you”. Yes, that is true but feeling are not meant to dictate every decision we make. In my Bible there are pages that show important quotes as you read. A quote that I loved was in the scriptures of deep hard feelings and how God handles them. The quote paraphrased “Feelings are indications not decisions”

Recently ive been experiencing JOY. Some roadblocks are as usual in the way of what im wanting to complete. I have a stationary RV and I’d love to have a deck on it but in everything i am researching I get so quickly overwhelmed. We got a new shed on our property so we made it into a storage shed. In doing that ive had to take everything out of my storage unit and needed to get it done in 3 ish days before the start of next month. While I was loading the boxes and random bits and bobs I ran into body pains with my sciatica and arms. Everything in me wanted to quit, just go home and sleep. Then bang, my period decided to say hello. I have gotten to the point where when i want to do big things my body just says NO! its incredibly annoying and frustrating.

Lately though even with some annoying moments and roadblocks Gods given me moments of reflection of how im improving. One day my body hurt so bad, sweat pouring down my back I randomly started repeating outload. “God wants me happy, God wants me to push through, God wants me to have a better life. He will give me strength, He will be my biggest cheerleader” After I had the heavy boxes in and sorted i wanted to cry. Getting to the shed i had a deep cry realizing i had to do it all again in unloading it all. after I cried I got out and almost automatically one box after another without thinking. At having 3 boxes left I fully realized what I did and felt a wave of exhaustion. Had to reach out again and ask for just a bit more strength. The last of the boxes got out very slowly and with some cursing but they got done. Todays my last load and I cant stop the smile on my face.

My body hurts and I’m VERY emotional but i feel deep joy over how my life is slowly coming together.

Are there things you have to do that you hate or is a struggle, is it something that will bring you joy? or have you experienced something that looking back you feel changed you for the better?