We wrongly limit our lives when we choose to accept that Joy is dependent upon things of the flesh, dependent upon cause and effect scenarios, outcomes and answers to problems, test results, responses from friends and family. Thinking this way is a product of being born into this world, but our free-will choice allows us to be brought into our True Identities in Christ, who we were created to be. Joy is always in existence, joy is not of this world but is thriving in the presence of Abba, the Great I Am, it is a richness of His Glory. Happiness is a product of Joy, and is uniquely nourished and fortified as we continuously live within the presence of the Great I Am. It reflects the excitement within and uniquely manifests a richly abiding, peaceful presence of our reigning King Jesus. It becomes the invisible arms by which welcomes others into privately encountering King Jesus as they actively witness where our Joy is coming from; and happiness should never be dependent on how we feel (this takes a fully surrendered life and is a process only the Holy Spirit can bring you through). Emotions and feelings have their place, but we are not led by them, we are led by our reigning King Shepherd. Sadness is a reflection of cause and effect scenarios, however it is securely contained by Joy when we intimately live under His reign. Sadness in actively missing our loved ones that have already left, saying goodbye to other loved ones, seeing the wrong thinking prevalent within the world, the things not in line with God, and the people believing the lies of the enemy and rejecting Jesus, all the while His Joy comforts our hearts and shows us how He tenderly holds it within His profoundly nurturing Hands, not allowing sadness to overtake us, nor destroy us. The tender brush of Abba’s Truth across our minds, the diligence in which the Holy Spirit faithfully instructs us, the certainty that our King Shepherd walks before us, His tender mercies and compassionate presence nourishes us and fortifies us to seize His Word and allow nothing else in. ‘Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.’ (Romans 15:13) Praise King Jesus, as our King Shepherd wipes our tears when we go to Him exhausted and battered from our battles here on earth, His presence is Joy, intimately ministering to us and uniquely instilling His Hope into us, nurturing our excitement for each new moment all because of Him and Who He is!