Happiness and Joy

Louise Duval

MA, LPC, LAC, CAC

3/31/2024

What is the difference between happiness and joy? Happiness is an emotion, usually based on circumstances. Joy is happiness deep down inside; it is lasting, not based on circumstances, and it is a fruit of the Spirit, which means it is only possible through the work of Jesus in your life. An acrostic I used when I talked to kids about joy is:

                                                            Jesus

                                                            Over

                                                            Yuckiness

We will face yucky situations where we are unhappy; it is part of living in a sinful world. Joy is not being happy in those situations but facing them with peace, which comes from knowing God is still with you and He is still in control, even in the yucky! Sometimes, God will change our situation. In Acts 16:16-40, we read about Paul and Silas being beaten and thrown in prison because they cast a demon out of a girl in the name of Jesus. I don’t think they were happy about that, but they did have joy because, at midnight, they were praying and singing praises to the Lord. God sent an earthquake, and the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came off. However, God does not always get us out of yucky situations; sometimes, He stays there with us through it. In Daniel 3:1-30, we read about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were thrown into a furnace for refusing to bow down and worship an idol. They believed God would save them, but even if he did not, they still would not bow to any god except The God. I don’t think they were happy about being thrown in the furnace, but they did have joy. When the king looked in, they walked around with someone who looked like “the Son of God.” In this case, God did not keep them out of the furnace, but he was there with them and kept them from being harmed.

So, what yucky situation are you going through that you need Jesus to help you find joy? As you know Jesus more, love Him more, and realize He is with you even in tough situations, you can develop joy. You don’t have to be happy, in fact you can feel sad, scared, hurt or many other emotions. Joy is being able to have a calm, peacefulness under those emotions because you know that even if you have to go through the situation, you can trust God through it because He is over all things and He is still in control, even in the yucky things!