Day 20 - Restoring Joy

​“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.”
Psalm 51: 12

​Meditate or Reflect
Joy and happiness are often used interchangeably, but there is a great difference between the two. Happiness is laughter, the delight in being with someone you care about, it’s birthday presents, and chocolate cake. Happiness feels great for a time, but it is temporary. Joy is the sublime confidence in knowing that God is in control. Joy is not always accompanied by laughter, sometimes joy can come in the presence of tears. But, joy is eternal. Sometimes our joy can be shaken by our circumstances, losses of relationship, or in unforeseen changes. We can experience diminished joy in illness, job loss, broken relationships, indecision, and a loss of purpose or calling. For many years I was an educator, and I experienced a great joy that God was present with me throughout that calling. But near the end of my teaching career, I discerned the calling was over, and I just felt hollow, and my next career was not yet certain. My joy was greatly diminished, and I grieved through many tears in the not-yet-knowing what my next calling was. After sorrow, and waiting, and plead-praying, God gave me a new call to become a counselor. And just like that, joy was restored. God was always in control, especially when I couldn’t see it.  The verse for today is spiritual direction for what we do when we are feeling less joy: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.” The truth is it is easier to experience joy when everything is going well. But when joy is shaken, we must do our best to direct our thoughts to the joy that matters most – Salvation. And in the waiting and plead-praying and continuing to "ask, seek, knock" (Matthew 7: 7), for God to sustain you with a willing spirit. It is also helpful to allow others who will keep you company with compassion, and to encourage you, and to listen to you.