Joy and happiness are not the same thing. However, many people conflate these words and use them interchangeably.
To clear up any confusion, let’s look at what distinguishes joy from happiness. My hope (and goal) is that once you finish reading, you’ll decide to choose joy.
The dictionary defines happiness as “a state of well-being; a pleasurable or satisfying experience.” A definition of the word rejoice, related to the word joy, is “to feel great delight; to be glad.” Depending on the translation, the Bible uses the words happy and happiness about 30 times, while joy and rejoice appear over 300 times. Now that will preach!
You might be surprised to hear that happiness may not be the best thing to strive for. I must admit that before I understood the contrast between these two words, I thought they were relatively similar. However, upon comparing joy and happiness, I know they’re extremely different.
One major difference involves their source. Happiness is typically an external state that is connected to events, circumstances or possessions. For example, you might feel happy when you get that new job or buy a new house or car. Joy, however, is more internal and spiritual. It can be derived from inner peace, love or service to others.
Happiness is typically an external state that is connected to events, circumstances or possessions. Joy, however, is more internal and spiritual. It can be derived from inner peace, love or service to others.
“Happiness is an emotion, whereas joy is more a state of being,” says Dr. Rebekkah Frunzac, general surgeon and chief wellness officer at Mayo Clinic Health System.
Joy is dependent on who Jesus is rather than on who we are or our circumstances. True joy comes from spending time in God’s presence. As Nehemiah 8:10 states, the joy of the Lord is our strength. Trusting in God every day, even when we face challenges, helps us tap into the inner strength only He can provide.
We may not be able to choose our circumstances, but we can choose an attitude of gratitude and joy. We can choose, like Paul, to rejoice in the Lord — not necessarily to be joyful about the struggles we face, but to find joy in God whatever our circumstances may be.
Gratitude is being thankful or showing appreciation for the things and people around you. This could be by sending positive text messages or cards of encouragement to those God has brought to your mind. Another good habit is to list a few things you are grateful for each morning before starting your day. This practice helps our brain shift its focus to joy, appreciation and blessings rather than challenges, frustrations and disappointments. Joy says, “Not my will, but yours, Father.”
Choosing joy may not always change your circumstances, but it will always change your heart. No matter what your situation, you can always find joy in His presence.
Knowing that God is the source of joy, ask him to help you to be less anxious and present your requests with an attitude of gratitude. Sometimes it’s hard to have a cheerful heart in difficult times. Nonetheless, open your heart to Him. His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Remember that the joy of the Lord is our strength, and that at Jesus’s invitation, we can always choose joy.
