Joy vs. Happiness

There is a difference between happiness and joy. I heard a simple little thought that I liked. Happiness depends on "happenings", joy does not.

When things are going well it is fairly easy to be happy. When I get an A on a test, I have a new friend, someone gets married or has a baby, it is easy to be happy. But what sustains me when a friend dies, I get overlooked for a promotion, or I have bad news financially?

Joy is deeper and more foundational. God is fundamentally joyful. Galatians 5: 22,23 gives joy as one of the fruit of the Spirit. Joy is knowing that I am loved (by God). It is an underlying sense that everything will ultimately be worked out by God for my good. It is a deep and abiding belief in the goodness of God.

Joy remains even when I am not happy. Jesus wept. He felt deep emotion of pain for his friends. He was brutally killed. But at a deep level he felt the joy of the Father's love, had a sense of destiny, knew he was doing what was right.

We can claim His joy as our own if we have Jesus as our Savior. He lives inside of us.

There are days where I am not happy, but I sometimes have to ask God "Please give me your joy today." Even in my sadness I am given a foundation of God's joyful presence.

Today I am happy and joyful. Sofia is the first follower of my blog. That alone makes writing this blog worth the effort :-)