Maybe you’ve heard this before, but it’s worth repeating. The difference between happiness and joy is, happiness is based on happenings. Joy, on the other hand, is a resilient cheerfulness anchored in the goodness of God.
Think about happiness. When a baby is born, when you finally close on your new house or get a promotion at work, these are all things that “happen” and create happiness. The problem with happiness is that when things “happen” around you (or to you) that aren’t great, happiness disappears quickly.
Joy is much different.
Joy is resilient– despite your happenings. Resilience describes your ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult situations. This means you can have joy when things are great, AND when things are not so great because your joy isn’t anchored in what’s going on around you or within you. Joy is anchored in the goodness of God.
1 Peter 1:8-9 says, “Though you have not seen [God], you love Him; though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” His choice of adjective here is interesting– inexpressible. It means too strong to be described or conveyed with words.
In other words, there is a joy within your heart that can’t be described or explained fully. Others can observe it however. Joy isn’t always expressed in laughter or a big smile, although it can be. Oftentimes, joy is observed in your stability and confidence despite uncertain situations. “Why aren’t you falling apart right now?” “How are you so calm?” “Why are you not worried?”
Because JOY is always attached to something greater.
This is why John said, “…the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). It’s Jesus. When He made your heart His home, He anchored it to Himself. And He doesn’t waver. Storms may come; life happens; but there is a place in Christ where you can sit in the middle of the boat and be unmoved because you trust Who you’re sitting with.
James said it this way: “Count it all joy my brethren when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2-3). He’s not saying you need to fake it when you get in tough situations. The word count here really is an accounting term. It means add it up. In other words, go ahead, add up all the challenges and no matter what, the end result will still be victory in Christ because He has overcome the world!
Jesus said, “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:9-11). A short while later, Jesus told His disciples they would face trials and frustrations but “be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, and undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you]” (John 16:33 AMPC).
This is what holds us.
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, simply meaning because you are born-again, having the Holy Spirit as your Helper, joy is now a part of your DNA. But how much joy you tap into is up to you. “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24).
If your joy can be full, it can be half-full. It all depends on what you choose to believe and set your thoughts on. When your heart and mind are rooted in His Word, your joy will be resilient. It will bounce back from attack or disappointment. It will weather every storm.
No wonder the first words of the angel in announcing the birth of Jesus were: “Don’t be afraid, for I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere” (Luke 2:10 TPT)!
Jesus really did come to give JOY to the world!
