So contrary to popular belief, there IS a difference between Joy and Happiness! Lets start out with what "happiness" is.
Happiness: Is dependent on our outward circumstances and doesn't last. Happiness comes and goes!! We can't be happy all the time because our circumstances aren't always worthy of the happy feeling. Say for instance, if I won the million dollar lottery, I would have happiness. But if my dog died, I can't say I'd be happy because I definitely wouldn't be!
Joy: Is based upon an inward peace that isn't dependent on our outward circumstances. Joy is constant!! It should never leave because we have an inward peace telling us that God is with us, no matter what happens to us on the outside. If I won the million dollar lottery, I can have joy through that, and if my dog dies, yes I'll be so upset! But I can still have a joy that never leaves because it isn't based upon what happens to me. It's based upon my relationship with Jesus Christ, who will never leave my side.
Sometimes what happens to us is terrible, and you think you'll never ever be happy again. Well, we need to learn to have Joy in our lives, so that we can sing through the storm. We can praise God's name through the hurricane, so we can laugh through the tears. Remember in my last post the acronym for Joy?
J - Jesus
O - Others
Y - You
If we line that up in our hearts like that, and start serving Jesus, then others, then ourselves, then we can attain that precious joy that sticks with us through the hurt and pain.
I don't want to over-stress this issue, but please just go back and re-read those definitions one more time. Then ask yourself if you have that joy, or if you're just settling with happiness?
Here are some encouraging verses to help you through your walk of discovering pure and true joy:
Habakkuk 3:18 (NASB) - Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
John 15:11 (NASB) - These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
Psalm 33:21 (NASB) - For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name.
Isaiah 61:10 (NASB) - I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness...
I hope and pray this has shown you the difference, because it's important we know this!! Jesus wants us to have happiness, and to be glad, but more than that He wants us to have true, everlasting Joy.
God bless, and blog soon
I hope and pray this has shown you the difference, because it's important we know this!! Jesus wants us to have happiness, and to be glad, but more than that He wants us to have true, everlasting Joy.
God bless, and blog soon
