When joy trumps happiness

We hear plenty about happiness and unhappiness in our world. People run from job to job, from mate to mate and from reality to reality searching for happiness.

But I’ve recently found a better answer – joy.

A few weeks back, God taught me a lesson about true joy through a week-long trip to the Philippines. It was there, that I got to see God alive in others.

What struck me about my visit was the stark contrast between the people I met compared to the people I see here at home in the U.S. They have so much less in terms of material goods and comfort items and yet their joy and appreciation for their work was often overwhelming.

For most of the week I found myself with a smile on the outside that reflected the joy the Filipinos put out for all to witness. My experience helped me combat some of my own selfish materialism, complacency and overall neediness.

I left this economically disadvantaged corner of the world feeling something I never expected – envy…….

Please, share with a friend if you feel moved.
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