Christian Living

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"Marriage does not guarantee happiness." This statement was found in a class study book written by a Christian. And it's true, of course, but its minimal significance is lost in an over-arching truth. Nothing--not marriage or singleness, children or no children, affluence or poverty--guarantees happiness in this life. Christians aren't promised Hollywood/fairy tale happiness. Instead, and far better, we are promised joy in our Lord which is our strength.

The two emotions bear little resemblance to each other: the one is merely a temporary distraction, the other the literal basis for living. The first is grounded in circumstances: near-perfect husband, near-perfect wife, near-perfect children, prosperity, good health, etc. Alter one or more of those conditions, and the light butterfly of happiness flits away. Small wonder that it doesn't linger longer.

But the joy of the Lord is another matter altogether. Its foundations are faith in God, hope that anchors the soul, and agape love for each other. It is dependable and lasts as long as life does. Circumstances will change, trials will come, health may falter, friends may desert, and families may fail, but our deep joy in the Lord remains impervious to all of these. The heavier the burdens grow, the closer we draw to God in whose joy is our strength.

". . .for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10

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