My life has been filled with sorrow and joy
A lot has happened since I was a boy.
I can’t tell you everything, but just a few
Life could have been terrible, without you.
Friends have helped us in so many ways
If we’ve helped others, it’s God we’ll praise.
Life without friends would be a trial
We’ve been helped by your message and smile.
Mabel and I love your family and you
We’ll remember you all ‘til life is through.
It’s been our pleasure to be your friend
We’ll think of you often ‘til life here ends.
My grandfather was always an encourager and here in this poem he was bringing joy to a dear friend. Did you know there is a big difference between joy and happiness? We think of people that are happy as having joy and people that show joy as being happy people. However, there is a difference. So what is the difference?
Happiness is a reaction to something great. Joy is the reaction to Someone great.
Happiness is that giddy feeling we get when we enjoy the things of this earth and the comforts of this life. Joy sustains our souls in seasons of heartache and despair and is the life-giving fuel in Christ that we find in the valleys of deepest grief. Neither is wrong and both are to be enjoyed here on this earth. How can we experience both from a spiritual standpoint?
The biblical definition of joy is one not found in worldly roots. The best example of joy in the Bible is actually Job! Yes, Job! Why? He was stripped of every good thing he had on this earth and yet he never lost his faith in God. He was frank about his pain but he was also frank about knowing Who God is.
Even in pain, the faith he showed made us see he could have joy in his God. In Job 26:7, he shows he knows the greatness of God, “He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.” And what did Job conclude about his trials? Job 23:10, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
Joy is rooted in Who God is. Remember that His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. However, trusting in Him brings a complete and satisfying joy. Being able to say with Job (33:4), “The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life”; means complete peace and contentment which then brings joy. How could a person stay sad when you are faced with Who God is? Joy is so complete in Him. Joy and gratefulness must go hand in hand.
Our joy, my joy, rests not on shifting circumstances but is rooted in Who God is.
When days are dark and it feels like life is crashing in around me, I have joy. The rain may descend and the path is dull, but I have joy. When the sun pops out and I see the rainbow, I have joy. Joy exists because of my love of God and Who He is. Doesn’t Psalm 5:11 sum it up so well? “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”
What is the biblical definition of happiness?
Happiness is the agreeable sensations which spring from the enjoyment of good. Doesn’t the Bible say in I Timothy 6:17, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” Paul is reminding us that riches come and go but the living God does give us all things to enjoy.
This means that God is our hope and in Him we must trust to enjoy all things. We must remember that while we can find happiness in the simple pleasures of earth, we must also remember they are fleeting. Still, we can have happiness in them. I believe happiness is born out of gratitude to God just like joy is. When we look at a bee buzzing around a flower that can bring happiness in God’s creation, right? Happiness can be found when we look at our healthy children or see our good work be rewarded with a raise from our boss. We are happy. We must also be full of gratitude.
Do you have happiness? Find happiness each day in the things around you. On the days that seem dark and gloomy, find something to be happy about and then turn to your Bible and find joy in your life through your God!!
Happiness comes when we see a flower.
Joy comes when we remember the Creator.
Happiness brings out smiles when we sing.
Joy brings out praise to our Savior, our King.
Happiness surrounds us in the things that we ponder.
Joy surrounds us when we remember our Maker.
Happiness is when we enter church on Sunday.
Joy is when we celebrate Christ’s birthday.
JOY IN DAILY HAPPINESS