"...They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads..." (Isa 35:10) "O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. " (Psa 95:1, NASB) Sing for joy. We have heard this clause a thousand times. It has been used as song titles, movie titles, sermon titles, book titles. It has echoed into our subconscious from several sources. I think the one that comes vividly to mind is the popular song by Don Moen in His Album "I will sing" released on May, 2000. The scripture (especially the Psalms) is filled with calls to sing and injunctions to shout joyfully. The reason is because there is a strong relationship between singing and joy. I will like to stress that joy is very much different from happiness. Happiness is brought about by external reasons or cause. it is a response to events happening around you. For instance, you can be happy because you got a promotion. You could be happy because you landed the new contract; or you passed the examination, or for some other reasons. But joy is internal..
Joy flows from the inside. You are joyful because a well of gladness bursts open inside of you. It is like when a pipe carrying a large amount of water is suddenly busted open, the outflow is uncontrollable. That is what joy is. The Bible says, "Come let us sing for joy". If you find your joy going down and becoming latent, start a song! Think about the greatness of your God. Consider the works of His hands. The universe he has made. The love He has for you; how far He has brought you. Close your eyes and get lost in worship of Him. Sing from that deep well of love, and you will feel the joy returning. You will feel your problems losing weight. You will feel yourself getting stronger. That is because the joy of the Lord is strength!