Don't Worry Be Happy

My son has recently discovered the old classic “Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin. Don’t you love it when your kids find “your” music entertaining!
He has been blasting the laid back mantra of Mr. McFerrin all throughout our house. And when a music device is not within reach, he loudly whistles the tune.
With all the happiness being crooned this weekend by my son, along with the appearance of lady with an infectious laugh wearing a Chewbacca mask in my newsfeed (thank you Candace), I started to realize something that has been a little lacking in my life recently -JOY!
We could all use a little more joy in our lives, don’t you think?
Obviously, we can’t erase our problems with a catchy chorus or a hysterical Star Wars mask – wouldn’t that be nice!! But we can have something even better – We can have joy, true joy, dwelling in us. We can have joy no matter what our circumstances.
When we give our lives to Jesus, He puts His joy in us! That is a beautiful reality that we seem to forgot far to  easily.
We may not always be happy, but we can always be joyful.
Happiness is dependent on external circumstances, but joy comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Some of the most joyful people I know are those who have endured some of life’s hardest challenges. Their joy defies their circumstances. They truly believe that God is bigger than whatever trial they are facing. They look at life through the filter of Joy, instead of allowing life to filter their joy.
I don’t want to lose my joy in the midst life’s trials. And I don’t want to be a sour-faced complaining worry-wart.
Instead, I want to smile at the realization that I am a child of God, and that He has it all under control.
I want to put on a silly mask and indulge in a good ol’ fashion belly laugh (or laugh hysterically at those who do! 😉 )
And I want to ask God to overflow my heart with His joy so that I can pour that joy out on others.
Anyone can be happy when things are going well, but to be joyful in an upside down world gone mad…takes a supernatural power.
Let’s boldly ask God to fill us with His power so we can share His joy today!
Much love and laughter,
Jen