Happiness and Joy: Do You Know the Difference?

Happiness is an American virtue. We so value happiness that we listed the pursuit of it as a right in our Declaration of Independence. But there’s a problem with happiness—it’s circumstantial. It’s based on certain conditions. Thus, your happiness may wax and wane with the levels of the stock market, the moods of your spouse, your health or the weather or the wins and losses of your favorite sports team.

Joy, on the other hand, isn’t based on circumstances. It is the fruit of knowing that your hope and future lie securely with Christ in heaven. It doesn’t mean you won’t have bad days or that you don’t suffer. But joy always prevails. Happiness can be shattered; joy can’t. Joy is the garment of those who are rich toward God. They always have it on.

There are believers around the world who are suffering for their faith in Christ. Some have had their property taken from them; some have been imprisoned; others have seen their loved ones killed—all because they follow Jesus. I doubt that many of them are happy. How could they be? But I know they have joy. The temporary pains of this world cannot snuff out their deep-rooted faith and the joy it yields. Joy enables believers to pray for and bless their persecutors. Joy will enable you to still rejoice, even when your personal headlines read otherwise. And, it has nothing to do with how much stuff you have.

From Enough. Have you read it yet? Maybe it’s time. Click Here.