More from Mary Neumann

People who are grieving, lonely, depressed, or suffering may find that their sadness intensifies around the holidays. Everyone else appears to be happy and celebrating with loved ones. As a formerly sad person, I want to share what I have learned and experienced.

I have learned that “happiness” results from an outside experience. A new purchase or a call from a friend makes me happy. But happiness is a temporary feeling. “Joy” results from an inside experience. The Holy Spirit dwelling within me fills me with joy. Joy is unending contentment.

Inner joy is a fruit of the Spirit (see Gal. 5:22). Joy is the realization that God loves, forgives, accepts, blesses, and delights in me and that God will never leave me. Grief and loss do not disappear, but heaven-sent joy is bigger than any burden and stronger than any struggle. Joy is the heart-filling assurance of God’s eternal presence, grace, and help. Joy sustains me through life’s valleys (see Ps. 23:4 and Jas. 1:2-3). Joy is a fountain of living water that never runs dry (see Jn. 7:37-39). The past is behind me, and I have become a new creation (see 2 Cor. 5:17). The good news is that joy is a gift that God gives to everyone who opens their heart to receive God. Like the Samaritan woman at the well, I call you to come see what I have found.