Joy, Joy, Joy - Count It All Joy!!

Introduction

What makes you happy? What brings you joy? Is there a difference between your answers to these two questions? In terms of measuring the intensity of your joy, where would you say your joy meter is highest? Is it in your job, your family/children, your sweetie, your health – or is it in your finances? What gets you excited, hopeful and looking towards the future with great anticipation? Imagine how life would unfold if joy ruled your day, each and every day. What needs to change in your life to get to this place? When was the last time that you felt unspeakable joy – a joy so profound that you would find it hard to describe? Do you even know what that is? Does it have an underlying source? Where can you find it? Is joy something that you experience on a regular basis or are your encounters more sporadic? Thinking back or even presently, in what circumstances has joy been lacking? If you are experiencing any kind of impediment in finding and experiencing joy, have you ever wondered what might be blocking your "joy access"?

Many of these questions will be addressed in this message. Others have been included for your contemplation and discussion. The comments section is always open for your feedback, inquiries and point of view.

Definitions

Webster defines happiness as: An agreeable feeling or condition of the soul arising from good fortune or propitious happening of any kind; the possession of those circumstances or that state of being which is attended enjoyment; the state of being happy; contentment; joyful satisfaction; felicity; blessedness. Some definitions of happiness included joy as a synonym, suggesting that there was little, if any, difference between the two.

The definition of joy was not much different in some respects: The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good; pleasurable feelings or emotions caused by success, good fortune, and the like, or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire; gladness; exhilaration of spirits; delight.

There are many definitions for joy with slightly different variations in scope. These definitions generally attribute joy to a feeling of gladness, one that is peaceful and unlike any other emotion and that does not come from earthly things or pursuits, is independent of the peaks and valleys of life, is not a result of someone else’s downfall, and does not describe victory in competition.

There are debates about most concepts in life, particularly biblical concepts. Not surprisingly, the differences between joy and happiness – even whether any real difference exists – is one of those debates. In this message, I will not attempt to settle this debate. Instead, I offer positions and beliefs for your consideration. Whether you “take a side” or prefer to have a more inclusive point of view is less important than weighing this information to enhance your own spiritual growth and development.

Differences

Happiness is a state of wellbeing that could include less than pure attributes such as selfishness. We can be happy about those things that only concern us and our limited circle of influence. This type of happiness focuses on a “Me Phi Me” attitude. If it’s good for me, I’m happy. It does not necessarily leave any space or inclination to be concerned about the happiness of others. We sometimes can be happy, or even rejoice, at the demise or unfortunate occurrences in the lives of others. Those who view life as a zero-sum game can only become happy when they feel that they are winning. With this thinking, someone has to lose in order for the other person to win. Joy is not in competition with anyone or anything. Joy is a gift from God that expresses our connectedness with Him. His gifts are pure, should be cultivated and shared. They are not controlled or governed by us because they do not belong to us.

Reviewing these terms from a theological perspective, we might perceive nuances between the two. Happiness is seen as a type of joy that is largely temporary since it depends on external circumstances. Joy is contrasted with happiness by the circumstances under which we experience these emotions. Joy is more than a feeling of happiness under positive, trouble-free circumstances but the presence of God’s peace and strength that we can access regardless of our circumstances. "This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). Happiness is external response and joy is an internal state of mind.

One way in which they are different is that joy can be felt in the bleakest of circumstances. This type of joy brings peace and a settled feeling. Even though we might not be quite ready to run out and celebrate, casting all our cares to the wind, we have an assurance that all is well. Our settled state is one of serenity, creating a worry-free zone. In this state, we are able to focus on the task at hand, whether it is a major accomplishment, or just settling down for a good night’s rest. When we are joyful, those things that nourish the mind and body are within our reach. We can do whatever it is we need to do knowing that our Creator is in control. This state is nurtured by our faith in the Creator to work all things out for our good. If we truly believe and hold on to this promise, we have little reason to feel anything but peace, relief and joy.

Does joy require happiness? Conversely, does happiness require joy? Can either one of these emotions exist without the other? Are they independent or interdependent? Happiness is always transactional – do this and be happy; go outside the lines and your happy will be snatched out of your mouth! Thinking about the physiological changes that occur when we are in a state of happiness or joy, they both are good feelings. They both represent a mountaintop experience. Our emotions are not in the valley. Also, there is not much happiness without some level of joy. In its basic form, happiness is a form of joy. They both can excite the senses, elevate our sensibilities in a very positive way, and leave us with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Let me say that happiness vs. joy is something like comparing a fast-food meal to dining at a five-star restaurant of our choice. Both experiences provide us with the food that nourishes our bodies. Given the option, most of us would select the five-star restaurant. They both satisfy our very human need for sustenance, but I think we would agree that the five-star restaurant’s atmosphere and menu selections would provide a satisfying experience. Happiness can describe a universal response to positive events, circumstances, outcomes, etc. Joy, on the other hand, can take this feeling – as the character played by Keegan-Michael Key on Mad TV would say – to a whole 'nutha level!

I would suggest that these emotions from a human perspective outside of a spiritual experience are closely related. The way we use the terminology suggests whether and how that person sees any difference in joy and happiness. How we experience them and articulate the experience can be very different. The major difference I have discovered is that joy can be experienced even when our lives are completely turned upside down. "2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let the perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4). Joy is a state of mind. Something that must be developed through experiences. Based on the person, this development could take several years or a lifetime. Happiness is a reflex action, a byproduct based on circumstances and subject to changing dynamics. Happiness is usually the emotion felt when, in the moment, we are satisfied that all is right within our world.

On the other hand, the joy of the Lord, now that’s a different matter altogether. His joy gets down in our bones, into our soul. Joy is one of His perfect gifts, created in our souls and is ours forever. It does not rely on anything external or temporal and does not fluctuate based on our current circumstances. It only relies on the one true thing that we can depend on, no matter what – our Creator. There is nothing superficial, fake, phony, etc. about the joy that the Lord offers us. This joy He places inside us makes our soul sing! This joy provides a light in the darkness, a way out of no way. This joy causes us to rejoice when our human nature might (temporarily) make us think it would feel better to roll up in a ball and plan a pity party. The joy of the Lord is real. All else is humankind’s feeble imitation.

---

Let us pause here and take some time to reflect on what has been shared in today’s message. The next installment will illustrate how we might encounter joy in different ways. We also will begin to focus on the importance of joy and how it connects us to each other.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we humbly thank you for your gift of joy. We give you the honor and praise for the perfect gifts that you pour into our lives. Help us to recognize and appreciate your work in us, even when we do not fully understand your plan or our purpose. Help us to remember that your joy gives us strength and helps us complete the work we have been called to do. Help us to trust what you are doing in this season so that we might find joy in the most unlikely places. We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.