The difference between Joy & Happiness

Joy & Happiness 

If you really think about it, we often use those terms synonymously don’t we? While it is common to use these terms interchangeably, the Bible views them as quite different. Let me explain. You see, happiness is an emotion that is fully dependent on circumstances. It is an emotion that can often be switched off in an instant. However, when we look at joy, we see that it is more of a permanent outlook on life. A state of mind, for lack of better words.

I’ve discovered that Joy is something that is quite hard to explain, mostly because it is something that is wholly dependent on God. We don’t manufacture joy like we can with happiness. It goes deeper than just emotion.

Joy is contentment in spite of circumstances.

One of the reasons I wanted to make a  distinction between happiness and joy is because of what brought me to this topic today. Recently, I’ve been spending a lot of time dwelling on the dangers of comparison. In our world we are constantly comparing each other. Comparing our homes, our cars, our relationships, or lack thereof... you name it, I guarantee someone has compared it to another person at some point. The true danger of compassion is that it is sneaky. It begins as admiration. Or inspiration. It can motivate us to be better, to do better, to strive harder, to attain certain goals. But then, more often than not, we take it too far. True joy doesn’t come from possessions. It doesn’t come from success. It doesn’t even come from relationships. 

Friends, God is the only person who can give us FULLNESS OF JOY. 

Sometimes that’s hard to imagine that because we view joy as happiness. But when we understand what joy truly is then it becomes easier to see it in our lives. In Psalm 16:11 David writes, “You (God) make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” And in Romans 15:13, it says “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Y’all, it is God ALONE who gives us our joy.

Where is your focus today, my friends? Is it on things of this world? Or is it on Jesus, the only source of true joy?