what are the difference between joy and happiness?
Frequently these two words are used as one and the same. While they do share some characteristics, they are actually different. Happiness is an emotion usually directly related to circumstances that are currently happening. So when the circumstances are good and going our way, we feel happy. On the other hand, when things break, get old, disappoint, when we do not get what we want, or when things do not go our way, we feel sad and are not happy.
One exercise I went through to help me get this concept was to write down specific things that make me happy. Here was my list in no particular order:
Seeing things set to record on my TIVO. Not things recorded, but things scheduled to record.
Watching Clayton Kershaw pitch.
Preaching a good sermon.
talking on the phone to someone awesome.
Listening to good music.
Getting comments on my blog. (very rarely happens)
Drinking a perfectly blended Starbucks drink
Having a secret $100 in my wallet (very rarely happens).
watching sportscenter all day.
Hearing The Heroes theme song.
If I had more time to think, I could have filled up pages of specific things that bring me happiness. You could too. Think about all the things in this world that makes you happy. It could be small things or big things. Anything from a good cheeseburger to when a baby wraps their tiny hang around your finger. All these are temporary and bring temporary emotional happiness.
Joy is something entirely different from happiness. Joy, in the Biblical context, is not an emotion. Joy is attitude of the heart. It is not necessarily based on something positive happening. Joy is something that lasts; happiness is something that is temporary. When happiness fades away, joy remains. Joy is something that is bigger than you and I and our current circumstances. Joy brings us peace in the middle of a storm. Joy is something that God deposits into us through the Holy Spirit. The enemy tries everything in his power to steal your joy because it is that important. On the other hand, the enemy will tempt you with things that will temporarily give you happiness but at the same time drift you away from God.
There is a big difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is an emotion and temporary; joy is an attitude of the heart. Hold on tight to your joy.
BIBLE VERSES THAT TALK ABOUT JOY YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:
Habakkuk 3:17-18, James 1:2, Philippians 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:16, John 16:19-24, Galatians 5:22, Hebrews 12:2, and much more (joy is mentioned 242 times in the Bible).
2 comments:
You said it Steve, happiness is determined by what is happening, but JOY is the confident peace we have, because we know that our Lord Jesus will take care of us no matter what comes our way. Why is Habakkuk joyful, not because of his circumstances, but because he knows in whom his salvation lies. James also understood that our joy is not determined by our circumstances, but through faith and trust in our Savior Jesus Christ. Paul knew how important the joy of the Lord was, that he said it twice, "rejoice" Nehemiah 8:10 I think says it best, "the joy of the LORD is your strength" It's one of the things that separates us from the world, and what attracts the world to the church. With out JOY the church looks just like the world.
cool! i like this!
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