JOY Daily Devotional: Advent 3 – Dec 21

There is a concept from psychology that goes by several different names …  it has been called “Appreciative Joy,” “Sympathetic Joy,” and “Positive Empathy.”
In short, it is the ability to genuinely celebrate the successes and achievements of others. To celebrate the happiness of others as if it were your own happiness. — Nick Cash

I was never confident if joy was at home in me. Maybe she was napping in the guest room or hiding in a closet.
Joy always felt elusive. … I decided to reexamine all I’d be taught …
Studies reveal that each of us is born with a set point for happiness. Though significant life events like losing a loved one or winning the lottery may result in temporary depression or elation, most people return to their happiness set point, which they oscillate around over the course of their life.
Genetics account for approximately 50% of a person’s happiness set point, and life circumstances such as gender, ethnicity, marital status, occupation, and religious affiliation account influence another 10%. But the remaining is a product of the way we think and act.
This suggests that though you and I have different natural dispositions, we can push ourselves toward the high or low end of our “set point” based on our thoughts and actions.
They’ve discovered the things that actually bring happiness are long-term loving relationships, strong social connections, the opportunity to pursue meaningful work, a sense of optimism and openness to new experiences, as well as a spiritual belief or identification with an issue or idea larger than oneself…
In fact, Scripture reveals joy as a spectrum of emotions, actions, and responses that includes happiness, gladness, cheer, merriment, delighting, dancing, shouting, exulting, rejoicing, laughing, playing, brightening, blessing and being blessed, taking pleasure in and being well pleased. — Margaret Feinberg