Joy That Lasts by Gary Smalley (1994, Paperback, Reprint)

How can you have Joy that Lasts? If your joy isn't tied to people, places, positions or unsecure sources of pleasure. Joy that lasts is joy that is a gift. If our well being is dependent on our job, our friends, our family or our positions or wealth, we will lose our joy when we lost these jobs, friends, family members or positions. Joy that lasts discovers that God will bless you and He will keep you, IF you keep your eye on Him and not people, places or positions.

Having a new car or a beautiful second home can bring joy, but will the joy outlast the beauty of the home? If the car is damaged in a accident, will your joy fail? It just might, if your joy is dependent on the car, the home, the position you hold in the eyes of others, the amount of money you have in your accounts. When your joy is tied to your "stuff", your joy will ride the roller coaster that follows your wealth. (and we all know that we can never have enough of that)

This book explains and shows us how we can maintain our joy in whatever situation we find ourselves, as long as we can find God, who is the source of our true joy. Placing our happiness and contentment in people we know, places we go and positions that we attain, will only enable us to be happy as long as we can maintain MORE position, MORE possessions, and more people to bring us temporary joy. True joy comes from the One who lasts forever and never leaves us joy-less. Trust in the One who stands with you in the rainstorm, and in the sunshine. Joy that lasts.