2.1 – The Pilgrimage of Faith

[Maureen]

The trials we face are part of the pilgrimage of our journey on this side of heaven.

The statement in Hebrews 10 to NOT shrink back, instead to set our face as a flint into the storm(trial) before us, literally causing us to press into the Lord, to yoke with Him, to tuck under his wings, to set our focus on the Holy Spirit and not on the storm we are in. We are in one of three positions in our walk along this journey of life– heading into a trial, full blown in a trial, coming out of a trial and into a period of rest. To count these trials as joy at the development of the steadfastness of faith being worked into my inner man, can only be done as I set my gaze on Jesus, himself, and his presence in my life, daily.

Temporal happiness brings joy in the moment and is so fleeting. The joy coming from the strength of the Lord working in our lives producers a rich and deep knowing, that no matter what we must walk through, we will never have to walk it alone. He is with us, undergirding our lives continually as we call upon His Name.

[Melanie]

Happiness is the response to a situation or thing. It’s a feeling that occurs in a specific point of time. Joy is a state of being. Joy is shown in our attitudes and reactions to both positive and negatives things in our world

[Karry (Karen)]

This has been a year where I have felt like I am in one big storm – what have I learned – God has humor – we take turns giving mini sermons at youth – oh yeh u guessed it we are talking about fruits of the spirit and cause I normally have so much joy – I got asked by the leader to do a sermon on joy. The timing was painful – but rewarding for God was using that moment to show me what truly Joy of the Lord is all about- it is not earthly treasures that bring a happy moment for a short time – but it the moments – those moments that bring joy – they are there -little treasures to be held on our heart – they are not temporary like happiness – they are entwined on our heart because Joy of the Lord is deep not fleeting.

[Dolores]

The difference between temporal, worldly happiness and deep-seated Christian joy is that worldly joy is fleeting,it doesn't last. It also can be that people that find worldly joy, find it in places that do not honor God. Deep-seated Christian joy lasts! It is a profound joy that fills you to the uttermost deepest part of your heart for even the smallest of things. Experiencing deep-seated Christian joy binds us so close to the Father.

It is important to differentiate between the two because while the concept is "joy" the difference in experiencing joy in these two different constructs are absolutely and completely different experiences!

[ECO]

@dostapyshyn I like how your response mentions that Christian joy can be found in even the smallest of things. It reminds me of this quote from G. K. Chesterton: that the “secret of God is his mirth” and “Joy, which was the small publicity of the pagan, is the gigantic secret of the Christian.”