Happiness vs. Joy: What’s the Difference and Why Does it Matter?
When depression hits, happiness wanes, or circumstances induce pain, is it still possible to have joy? Through the fading of life, the sorrow of death, or a sudden traumatic change, can joy truly be present?
Recently, I was brought through a situation that was riddled with sudden loss. Where I would normally find joy, I only felt despair. My heart was drenched with pain. Yet something unexpected happened.
While my soul was wrapped in sorrow, my spirit was suddenly filled with complete joy. This was truly a miracle, a Jesus miracle, for He is the only one who can bring true joy within the depths of pain and melancholy.
It reminded me that happiness is circumstantial, while joy is different. Joy is a state of being that can remain consistent in Christ.
This painful circumstance helped me realize that if I set my eyes on Jesus, who is called the author and perfecter of our faith, I too can have a continuous joy just as He did when He endured so much hardship (Hebrews 12:2).
So the answer to the above question is beautiful and simple-yes. Joy is possible when happiness is hiding. It is in these very times that joy can best be revealed.
What exactly is joy?
Joy comes from knowing who we are in Christ and letting Him flood our hearts and minds with His unconditional love. Unlike happiness, joy is not circumstantial; it is a gift from God that comes when we praise through any situation, even pain.
4 ways to let joy in when happiness is hiding.
Make space for worship.
Worship is an honor paid to God due to the nature of His sacredness. But God created worship for much more than just having us praise Him. The act of worship was intricately designed so that when we worship Jesus, his tangible joy and unconditional love is available to us. The joy found in worship is supernatural and if we grab ahold of it, it consistently fills our mind, body, and spirit.
Make conversation with God.
Conversing with God also helps us uncover joy. We do not need to be afraid to talk with Him. He is not an impersonal God but He loves to listen to us. He can handle every emotion we have and is not afraid of being there for us. Jesus is the very definition of being a good friend. He loves us and desires to spend time with us.
Receive His instructions.
God gave us the ultimate tool, the Bible, to help us worship, build our relationship with Him, and hear his instructions. He wants us to know (truly understand) that we are important to Him and that He loves us so much He would never leave us here on this earth without Him, or His instructions.
Listen well.
How often do we pray only to let God know our agenda, our pain, happiness, or life circumstances? It is good to make our requests known and share with Him about our lives, but do we take the time to be still and listen well too? In our time with God it is important to leave the world at the door and bring a heart full of praise and patience. In order to stay in God’s will, we must learn to listen well.
May you have a joy-filled day and “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NIV).
