At first glance, joy and happiness are quite similar; they are after-all emotions we generally associate as being positive and desirable (producing such behaviors has laughter, tears, smiles and awe). However, differences do exist. With that said, it is important to note that despite these differences, joy and happiness are not in competition with one another.
Happiness is defined by Webster as good fortune or luck. ‘You’re happy and you know it’ when you get a good grade on a history paper or even witness the game winning touchdown with two seconds to spare. Joy, on the other hand, is defined as a state or well-being of pleasure or delight. Joy relates to more meaningful experiences in our life. For example: at Christmas we sing about ‘comfort and joy’ and ‘joy to the world’; friends, family or pets may ‘bring you joy’ (warm fuzzy memories too); and we also know that “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
Based on this, we can gather that happiness is dependant upon circumstance, whereas joy exists in spite of whatever is going on around us. This is essentially the main difference between the two. As a result, we can also say that happiness is produced externally (based on this happening around us), whereas joy is a result of what’s happening on the inside.
So how do you tell if someone is happy or joyful? Happy people tend to wear smiles, laugh more easily, and can be identified as being in a good mood. Joy can also produce these affects; however, joy (our emotional well-being) is associated with behaviors of greater intensity. Joy is not based on whether or not I an elected class president, get accepted into my first choice college, or even whether or not I have a boyfriend. Read the following versus and guess the theme (a common idea):
Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. [Psalm 27:6]
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. [Psalm 28:7]
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. [Psalm 30:11]
Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. [Psalm 33:1]
Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. [Psalm 43:4]
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. [Psalm 47:1]
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. [Psalm 51:12]
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. [Psalm 95:1]
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. [Psalm 100:2]
The ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. [Isaiah 51:11]
What do praising, worshiping, shouting, dancing and an offering have in common? They are simply the outward appearance of joy - our emotional well-being, something that cannot be taken away.
What about you? How do you identify with both happiness and joy?
Comments (1)
That was interesting. I've thought before about the difference between happiness and joy, and this helps. Thanks!
Posted by Jackie | December 20, 2007 10:05 PM