Whether Joy or Happiness
The expression of joy in difficult times results in an act of worship. Joy creates neutrality in any circumstance. Why? Joy is a spiritual tranquility that God provides. We often confuse happiness with joy and vice versa, but the two traits differ. One can regulate the level of happiness by external circumstances. For example, you become happy when your favorite team wins a rivalry game. Therefore, your feeling of happiness results from the outcome of the game. When researchers asked the question: What makes people happy? The contributing factors always included one of the following: money, attractiveness, material possessions, a rewarding occupation, and a satisfying relationship. (iu.pressbooks.pub)
Nevertheless, the level of joy results from an internal source based on your connection in the spiritual realm. A person can reap all the natural successes by gaining enormous wealth, yet internally he is overcome with great sadness. In other words, your circumstances have no bearing on joy, like it does with happiness. Joy originates from the sense of contentment and satisfaction within you. Therefore, as demonstrated in the Scriptures, we associate joy with positive emotions deriving from gratitude.
When Nehemiah dedicated the Walls of Jerusalem, you will note that he named all the participants, including the Levitical priesthood and the royal descendants, in chapter 12 of Nehemiah. By naming everyone involved, Nehemiah showed that all were united in this dedication for future generations. Also, this list of names was like a photograph at a ribbon-cutting event. Such a gesture of solidarity was more than symbolic, but a powerful conveyance of gratitude toward the source (God) who made it possible.
And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away. Nehemiah 12:43
Although Nehemiah led the exiles in rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem with financial and military support from King Artaxerxes, he recognized that the ultimate source was God, whose name in the above verse is Elohim. Remember, Elohim is the name used in Genesis 1:1, In the beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth; therefore, Elohim is the source of all joy; through Him, we can experience this particular fruit of the Spirit called joy. So, joy is the act of rejoicing while reflecting on God’s gratitude toward us.
While researching this blog, I experienced a situation at work that caused stress and dejection. Although the situation was beyond my control, the reaction of others caused me to feel unfavorable. Yet, as I pondered the difference between happiness and joy, I became encouraged because God controls the flow of joy within despite my outward situation that caused my unhappiness. For this reason, the Apostle Paul penned these words in prison to encourage the believers of today:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
(Phil 4:4).
In other words, God determines your joy, not your situation. Despite external situations, I should look inward and realize that God controls the outcome. If I am imprisoned and lack hope of escaping, I still must acknowledge the source within. From this perspective, joy signifies living in harmony with God instead of living with a mindset of wanting favorable situations to transpire to produce happiness. Therefore, when I express joy despite the situation, I am truly worshipping the God who creates.
