Joy and Happiness Are Not the Same

Are you living in God’s joy, or are you living for the next happiness fix?  

March’s Awakening, Day 14

The Bible talks plentifully about joy, but it nowhere talks about a “happy Christian.” Happiness depends on what happens; joy does not. Remember, Jesus Christ had joy, and He prays “that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.” 

 —Oswald Chambers

It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.

 —Charles Spurgeon

It is important for us to make a distinction between the spiritual fruit of joy and the cultural concept of happiness. A Christian can have joy in his heart while there is still spiritual depression in his head. The joy that we have sustains us through these dark nights and is not quenched by spiritual depression. The joy of the Christian is one that survives all downturns in life.

 —R. C. Sproul

Happiness is caused by things that happen around me, and circumstances will mar it; but joy flows right on through trouble; joy flows on through the dark; joy flows in the night as well as in the day; joy flows all through persecution and opposition.

 —D. L. Moody 

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:11–12 NIV 

and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:10 NIV 

            Although joy and happiness are similar, they are still different and distinct and we should understand those nuances. Happiness is based on what happens and the circumstances surrounding it. It is an emotional and experiential response based on pleasure or good fortune and is fleeting, as it will come and go depending upon our experiences.

            By contrast, joy is not solely based on our experiences or what happens around us. Joy is sourced within us as a deep satisfaction, contentment, and assurance of who we are and all the good that our future yet holds. Joy is an internal attribute and state of mind, not simply an emotional response to our experiences. Whereas happiness may come from our worldly interactions, joy comes from God above with assurance in His Word and all His promises to us, and knowing that we are children of the King and coming home soon.

            Yes, it is most important to have joy and good to be happy too, as long as we realize that joy will remain despite the fleetingness of happiness. Rejoice in your joy and be thankful for your happiness and don’t lose sight of them both. But remember, in those trials of strife and pain, the world may temporarily take your happiness away, but it can never remove your joy.