Happiness VS. Joy

Happiness, they say, is elusive. Happiness finds you some days and other days it's off somewhere in the produce isle checking out the Granny Smith apples that are half off; only you are stuck behind Madame Slowsberry as she parks her cart in the center of the isle and looks as if it might be less of a headache to wait for her than to ask her to move over. 

so where is happiness in those times of frustration and annoyance?

happily chomping on a nice crisp apple nowhere to be found by you

of course, that is how it seems most days

The truth is. Happiness is much like your keys. You always have them up until the moment you have to drive and then suddenly when you need them, they're nowhere to be found. simply put the moment we desperately need happiness, it deserts us. 

Happiness peaks the moment you find out you made it into your dream college but then quickly seeps away as you realize that you won't be able to afford it.

Happiness is there the moment your crush FINALLY texts you, but then quickly catches the first flight out of there once you realize he is about as interesting as a box of rocks.

Happiness holds your hand as you buy your first NAKED palette, but disappears somewhere when you realize that you have no idea how to use it. 

I find it highly interesting that out world is so obsessed with obtaining the unobtainable. It isn't rocket science that happiness only comes in spurts. Everyone knows it doesn't last. So why are there countless books, countless public speakers, countless diets, and countless tips on how to get and keep this happiness. It is impossible. and the failure people feel from not being able to keep what has never been meant to be kept leaves people in a feeling of worthlessness and failure.  

Even God, the creator of the perfect paradise for the very first humans. The creator of all humanity. he explained that life was not intended to be happy all the time.  "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."  John 16:33 

In this world you will have trouble

In this world you will not be happy all the time

In this world, you will not enjoy lemonade and pick daises all the time

It is extremely frustrating for me to see young girls and guys get their information about happiness off Facebook or other social networking sites. To them, happiness is posting a big smile on Instagram and getting a whole bunch of likes. 

To them, happiness comes from getting advice from reliable BuzzFeed articles (I'm not saying they are bad, because I enjoy a Buzz every now and again) However, my problem is that people are given all the wrong information about this misunderstood happiness. 

It isn't even happiness we should be looking for. 

ItS JOY. HAPPINESS'S TOTALLY UNDERVALUED COUSIN WHO WAS ACTUALLY THE BETTER CHILD BUT GOT NONE OF THE CREDIT.  *gasp of air*

wait, so whats the difference between happiness and joy?

Well jeepers, I am so glad you asked because I have an answer! Happiness is defined as a fleeting or unanticipated present good. Joy, however, is described as only something possible through the supernatural.

Welp. I guess we are all doomed then because I ain't got no Netflix and can't watch no Supernatural.

SUPERNATURAL AS IN JESUS WHO LIKE WALKED ON WATER AND HEALED BLIND MEN AND RAISED DEAD MEN FROM THE GRAVE. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT I WOULD CONSIDER THAT PRETTY SUPER NATRAL-ESK 

Whew, man, I need to take a minute to catch my breath

Joy is created through continuous fellowship with God. 

So what are some synonyms for joy?

1. Peace

2. Assurance

3. Wellbeing 

4. Solace

5. Satisfaction

6. Contentment

7. Purpose

Joy is the root of our Christian walk. It would be very troubling to see a born again believer without any joy. Born again believers have this in-containable joy. They have to tell everyone about what God has done in their life. How he has redeemed them. Changed them. Saved them. They no longer dwell on all that is wrong but are all consumed by the gist they have been freely given of eternal life that the other stuff no longer even fazes them. 

However, the longer we are Christians, the less sparkly and satisfying this promise seems

We lose the joy.  

but like I said before, Joy comes from continuos fellowship with God.  

Praying daily.

Reading the word of God daily. 

Jesus told his disciples to consider it pure JOY when they faced trials 

To consider it joy when they were persecuted for righteousness sake

For the sake of living the life God has called us to live

To consider it ...... J O Y  

JOY IS NOT THAT GOD IS NEVER GOING TO LET ANYTHING BAD HAPPEN TO YOU. 

JOY IS NOT THAT YOU WILL NEVER BE SAD. Sadness just will not cripple you to the point you cannot go on living. 

Joy is like a life jacket. No matter how rough the waves get, you are never going to drown. It doesn't mean you aren't going to have to go through the storm. It just means that in the end, you are secure and you are safe. 

Thats the biggest difference between happiness and joy. Happiness depends on the circumstances of life. Happiness is always coming and going as it pleases. Joy on the other hand is only dependent upon the status of your relationship with God. Joy is faithful. Joy never leaves. 

Joy is not a smile permanently plastered on your face

Joy is the reassurance that no matter how badly circumstances hurt right now, they will not overtake or destroy you because you have something stronger inside you. Which is the Holy spirit and legions of angles fighting to defend you.  

So no, happiness is not what I strive for you to obtain.

you will be disappointed 

every 

time

Joy.  Joy is what I want for you, and its something only God can give you. It comes from the fellowship with God. and thankfulness. Thankfulness is the biggest benefactor to joy. If we are constantly thinking about all the things we don't have and are never grateful for all that God has blessed us with, we will never have joy.

Joy is about the heart

and selfishness and ingratitude are heart issues

see how they can not coincide in the same body?

"I"VE GOT THE JOY JOY JOY JOY DOWN IN MY HEART"

"WHERE?"

"DOWN IN MY HEART. "

"WHERE?"

"DOWN IN MY HEART. I'VE GOT THE JOY JOY JOY JOY DOWN IN MY HEART. DOWN IN MY HEART TO STAY"

as petty as this childhood bible school song may seem, it holds a lot of truth.

1. Joy comes from the heart and 2. Joy is there to stay

"though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible an glorious JOY" 1Peter 1:8-9