I recently heard wise words explaining the difference between happiness and joy, which is the basis for this article.
Pursuing happiness
There is nothing wrong with pursuing happiness. Most, if not all of us, would prefer to be in a state of happiness rather than not. When we define happiness, particularly in contrast to joy,defining one concept where it refers and includes the other is, for our purposes, unhelpful.
Happiness is generally an external and outward expression
This is true because when you are happy, you tend to show it physically. When you are happy, you will show it in your smiles, but even the nature of your conversation and body languages will all exude the happiness.
Happiness is dependent on your circumstances
Happiness unfortunately doesn’t always last, so when your circumstances change and things are not as great, happiness may be harder to experience. Since happiness (and unhappiness) can be influenced, sometimes people may not be able to control what makes them happy. And how often is it anyway that there is always that one person who could ruin your state of happiness? This again highlights some of the less than ideal qualities of happiness.
As we unpack this concept further, I like to reflect on the movie Inside Out, where all the emotions are characters. I think one of the lessons that this movie helps kids to appreciate is that all emotions are important and play a role in helping develop our emotional maturity. Happiness is better appreciated when you also have the sadness and greater context of negative emotions.
Happiness is an emotional response: having what we want
In simple terms, happiness is reactive. This is associated with the dependency on the other circumstances. We experience happiness as one of the core emotions that results in the positive feeling. When we get what we want, we are happy. When we don’t get what we want, we often are unhappy.
Happiness is all about the effect, the result: and can be inconsistent
What we want will change over time, and accordingly, what makes us happy will also change over time. The status of being happy is also the conclusion of a sequence of events. Stuff happens and… we become happy.
Happiness is temporary
Alas, happiness cannot last indefinitely. In part, as we have mentioned, there is the whole coexistence of all states of emotions, and thus we will always shift from one to another. In this way, the temporary state of experiencing our emotions helps us to appreciate each of them more fully. This applies to all states – the positive (happiness) and negative (sadness).
Choose joy
So now, let us consider the aspects of joy. We may pursue happiness, but we really should choose joy. Joy is in part an attitude, a state of mind.
Joy: an internal attitude, independent of circumstances
When you choose to be joyful, no amount of external change or influence can get in the way. This is also why it is very true: you can be joyful in spite of hardship and suffering.
Joy: an act of the will, wanting what you have
As long as we have a meaning and focus, the state of being joyful will remain. Joy is something to do with our inner nature rather than the outer nature of our human character. John chapter 15 verse 11 says we are reminded by this, ‘I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.’
Joy and contentment are interrelated in this way. There is nothing you could want that would influence your joy. There is a paradigm of selflessness to joy as well. Witnessing or achieving selflessness to the point of personal sacrifice frequently triggers this emotion. Feeling spiritually connected to God or others is also a way to experience joy.
Joy: the reason why – a consistent foundation
Joy can lead to happiness. From a biblical perspective, the joy of the Lord is our strength. When we build our lives on God and his truth, he becomes the source of our joy, and no one can ever change that. Joy is part of our quest for eternal life because it is given to us by the Father through the Holy Spirit.
Joy: a fruit of the Spirit
In Galatians chapter 5, verse 22, Paul writes, ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…’
Joy is a spiritual fruit that is given to us by the Holy Spirit. Joy is not only attained here on earth, but it is also something that we connect with God because it is given to us by the Spirit.
Jesus can be your joy
When you feel emotion thinking about how Jesus Christ died to save us, there is joy. When you feel emotion when your loved one finally receives Christ, there is joy too.Joy is not only for yourself but for others.
In Hebrews chapter 12, verse 2, we are reminded that ‘fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.’
Joy is purely good, unlike happiness which is not necessarily good. As joy comes from God, it can only be full of his goodness. We need joy in our lives just as we need the Father and Jesus in our lives. That is why, to be able to attain joy, we must receive Christ, follow him and obey his teachings.