Happiness and Joy - not the same thing.

Joy and happiness are not the same thing. Happiness is a transient, temporary human emotional response that is more experientially based. You are only happy if everything that touches you is pleasant and pain free. Joy (according to the Biblical terminology) is a more permanent, established response that emanates from the human spirit and has virtually NOTHING to do with external circumstances or experiences. Future joy is assured by our present joy which is precipitated by our past encounters with the God who creates such capacity in us to make us joyful. God has not guaranteed our happiness, but even through the seemingly sad, difficult even heart wrenching times which inevitably come in life, we can still be JOYFUL.

Paul said it well in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice!” And bear in mind that among the manifestations of the “fruit “ of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence, joy is listed second in the group. Let us purpose that our lives will manifest the fruit of joy even in the midst of these somewhat “difficult” days. Those who do not know the Master Jesus will see this quality in our lives and will hunger to live with true joy rather than seeking for the happiness that the culture chases but never finds.