Happiness vs Joy
Many people in life search for happiness. They base all of their life decisions on what they think will make them happy, but I was reminded that such individuals are all looking for the wrong thing.
As I have noted before, I started a devotional earlier this year. No, I’m still not finished, but really close. Finishing is one of my “old year’s resolutions.” Anyway, in a recent devotional, the subject was happiness vs joy. Some people, and even dictionaries, treat joy and happiness as one in the same, but they are not. This quote from that days reading gives a more accurate perspective:
“Happiness is based on temporal and worldly things like national holidays, finding a great restaurant, straight A’s on you kid’s report card, a jog along the beach, or a 30-percent off shoe sale! Joy is different. It comes from having Jesus in your heart. Whereas happiness is like a slice of chocolate cake, joy is more like having the recipe (Brazelton 244).”
That pretty much says it all. We, as Christians, have the “something you don’t have.” It is like that Mary Mary song “God in Me.” They all wonder what is up with us. How can we remain positive in times such as these? They cannot figure it out, but it is the God in us.
Having that joy and peace in God and Jesus gives us that hope for things better. Happiness is fleeting. Even if you manage to find some on this earth, it is only for a time. Joy is eternal, and no one can take it away from you if you stay with God. These earthly problems and pleasures do not matter in the grand scheme of things because God has something better for us.
There is an older guy at church who seemingly babbles about “keeping that joy” almost as soon as you come in the door. I’m going to be honest. I always thought he was a little off. But the last few weeks, when I get there for class and see him, I listen, and I ponder. He knows something that I had let slipped my mind and it took the devotional to remind me.
If given the choice, I would take joy and you could keep your happiness. Happiness is nice and all, but I will take joy over happiness any day.
Comments