Merriam-Webster defines happiness as “a state of well-being; a pleasurable or satisfying experience.” It is a fleeting emotion often sparked by circumstances that bring a sense of excitement. The primary source of happiness is something outside us that gives us momentary pleasure. Examples might be being invited to a party, getting a new car, a promotion from work, or a complement of birthday money. The flip side of happiness is desperation if these things are taken away.
The biblical meaning of joy is anything but superficial. It is not a momentary high when things go our way. Joy comes from God. His Spirit lives in all believers and allows us to experience the essence of God in all situations of life. The fruit of God’s Spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These blessings are not generated by human effort but are gifts from God to help us live our lives to God’s glory.
Difficult circumstances do not eliminate our joy. Eventually, we stopped laughing; with pleasure, we had hope that would stay with us. “Simply put, biblical joy is choosing to respond to external circumstances with inner contentment and satisfaction because we know that God will use these experiences to accomplish His work in and through our lives. Joy allows us the perspective to be grateful and happy, but also to survive trying times by reminding us we’re still loved and cared for no matter what direction our daily life goes. Happiness is external; it’s based on situations, events, people, places, things, and thoughts.” Mel Walker
Job went through the worst of times, yet he never cursed God. He understood that God was in control. Job possessed the wisdom to know God’s character and the faith to hold fast to Him through to the end. ”The Spirit of God has made me;” Job 33:4 says, “the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”
God never changes. He is always fair, loving, compassionate, present, and all-knowing. It behooves us to align our thoughts and future with God!
Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
John Piper writes, ”That’s the difference between happiness and Biblical joy. Though our lives seem to be falling apart, and we may have every right to fly the victim flag, we instead choose to place our lives in the capable hands of the Father, our Defender. Joy isn’t fleeting, and it doesn’t exit with peachy-keen circumstances. It remains. The Spirit gives us eyes to see the beauties of Jesus that call joy up out of our hearts.”
Paul knew what it was like to suffer. Speaking from his experience of having been thrown in jail, beaten, and tortured, he wrote throughout the New Testament:
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-19).
2 Corinthians 6:10, “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.”
Romans 15:13 ~ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope.
Romans 12:12 ~ Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and constantly pray.
Philippians 4:4 ~ Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice.
James, the brother of Jesus, experienced suffering.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).
Peter, who suffered and was eventually hung on a cross to die, wrote:
“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 8,9).
This belief is only possible if the object of joy transcends the difficulties and trials that life brings. Christian joy has just such an object: Jesus Christ himself.
The joy of Jesus is open to all who choose to make Jesus their Savior and Lord. There is no lasting joy unless it comes from the Holy Spirit. Jesus says to us all: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Jesus did not die to make us happy. He died to save our souls from the penalty of sin which is eternal suffering and separation forever from God the Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus. Jesus died so that all humans could have fellowship with Him, not just when we die but with every breath we take. When we understand God’s grace of forgiveness and blessing us with joy in all of life, we will better understand God’s absolute unconditional love. If a man, woman, or child desires a pleasure that is so deep and steady that it can not be disrupted by hardships or even death, then they should embrace Jesus by faith and walk with Him.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:16-18).