Joy and Happiness

The questions were asked in our Christmas devotional, "Is there a difference between joy and happiness?  How do we find more joy?"  I've always heard it said that happiness is based in happenings, joy is based in Jesus.  Things can make us happy.  A kind word can make us smile, a gift can make us feel appreciated....things of this earth can make us happy, to a point.  Nothing here is lasting so I'm thinking if happiness is based on temporary moments, gestures or events, then the difference between happiness and joy is the difference between the temporary and the eternal.  Happiness is from the earth, while joy is from heaven.  Happiness is good, the Lord gives us blessings to enjoy and benefit from.  But His joy is the forever gift that transcends time and circumstance. 

So how do we have more joy?  I thought about this and have come to the conclusion that my joy is based on my belief, my faith.  If I believe God, if I trust Him, then I am at peace, and I can be filled with joy unshakable even when the darkness closes in around me.  I've heard joy described as a bubbling brook....it's not a waterfall, pouring over us fast and furious...it's a quiet constant flow that has it's source in Jesus.  That sweet flow can be with us all the time. 

Joy sees heaven, when things on earth are falling apart.  Joy believes when hopelessness threatens to overwhelm. Joy walks by faith, not by sight.  Joy knows our life is safe in God's hands.  Joy sees the glory and promise in the Cross.  It's not that we don't feel heartache, despair or sorrow.  It's not that we don't struggle to face the hard stuff of living...but we walk through this journey knowing the outcome will always be God's best for our life and the lives of those around us and we let that knowledge keep the joy alive at the core of our being.  Joy sees the heart of God. 

I've felt this joy along side of overwhelming sorrow when loved ones have died.  It's an amazing thing that joy and sorrow can coexist in the same heart at the same time.  That is not true of happiness.  Sadness and happiness are mutually exclusive.  Joy and sorrow are not.  I guess it's just a "God thing!" 

Philippians 4:8  And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Lord, fill us with Your joy.  Help us to learn to hold so tightly onto joy and faith that no circumstance, no matter how dire can shake us, nor break us.  Let others see this joy, let it be a testimony in our lives to Your goodness and love.  Lord, we often lose our joy.  We struggle to live by faith.  It's so easy to become despairing....help us Lord.  Life hurts.  Life gets really hard.  But if You tell us we can be joyful than let it be so.  Give us the strength to believe.  In Jesus' Name. 

Keep Philippians 4:8 in your heart.  Let it lead you into joy. 

I will be going away for a couple of days, so I will not have a second entry for this week.  Have a blessed and joyful week!