“I will praise the Lord who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at me right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Psalm16:7-8
Let me ask you a simple question:
Can you decipher the difference between joy and happiness in your daily life?
I think that many Christians today do not see the crucial difference between the two. In one hand we have the Biblical aspect of joy, in the other, we hold a worldly sense of happiness. There is a difference between the two. You see, happiness depends on the happenings that occur in our life. However, our joy should depend on Christ. Our joy should be unwavering.
Happiness comes from things of this world such as a new car, new home or getting a promotion at our job. We often view these as just an occurrence of this world, not a blessing from God. In my opinion, most people, including myself, do a poor job of recognizing and showing appreciation for the blessings that Christ bestows. But that can be an entirely different section of its own so I don’t want to get to deep into that discussion. The most important thing I want you to see about happiness is that it is fleeting. It is temporary because it is based on external circumstances. As we all know, when circumstances are good to us we are usually happy, and vice versa. Remember, trials will come. What’s that? You don’t believe me? Just take five minutes and read the first chapter of the book of James. If trials have not come in your life, they will.
What sets joy apart from happiness is that joy should come straight from the Holy Spirit. Simply put, joy comes from God. Joy is lasting because it is bases on God’s presence within us. If we read into Galatians, we see that joy is a fruit of the spirit. This spirit is only attainable once a person accepts Jesus Christ into their lives as Lord and Savior.
“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self-control…”
Galatians 5:22
So now that we know the difference between joy and happiness, I want to look at what joy does for a Christian.
1. Joy is designed to give Christians strength. In the world today, strength and bravery is crucial for a Christian. We should pull strength through our joy when we realize that a loving God has saved us from an eternity in Hell! If that fact does not give you strength and motivation to keep you going through the day, I do not know what will. When a Christian is filled with the joy of Christ, it will show in their actions and how they deal with almost every event that are called to face.
“… Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
John 15:11
2. Joy gives us an opportunity to shine for Christ. Joy will flow more abundantly when we have a consistent relationship with Jesus Christ. I believe, from personal experience, that joy is in a direct relationship with reading and studying the word of God. Honestly, once you begin to submerge yourself in the Bible and see the promises that God has put on your life as a Christian it seems impossible for one not to become happy joyful.
“For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the work of your hands.”
Psalm 92:4
3. Joy also allows us to grow through trials and tribulations. Trouble will come to all Christians in one form or another. In his book, James used the term “when”, not “if”.
“Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4
We must use these trials we are given to strengthen our walk through joy.
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.”
1 Peter 1:6
I want to finish by taking a quick look at what I consider to be a great model of joy. Paul was a great example of joy.
“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.”
Philippians 1:12-14
Paul was in prison and was soon to be put to death, yet he still was joyful. If a man, who is on death row for spreading God’s word, can be joyful, why can’t you? Or why can’t I for that matter? What is it that makes our situation any worse than his?
Paul was in prison for Christ. He was killed for advancing the kingdom. Yet Paul was joyous throughout his time served. Next time you think you have a reason to not be joyful, think of Paul and his situation. I bet you can’t top that.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Very cool Justin….great article. It is all to easy to let “worldly” happiness replace Christ joy in our lives. Great article!! keep’m coming bro.
In it something is. Thanks for the help in this question.