Real Hope: JOYSample

Fullness of Joy

According to the experts, across all cultures and throughout time, we share the same six basic emotions – sadness, anger, fear, joy, love, and peace. “Joy“ is often replaced with the word “happiness” as if they were the same, but they are quite different. We may think that this is a modern misconception, but this quote by S.D. Gordon, the 19th-century Christian author, shows this quandary has been around for quite some time:

“Joy is distinctly a Christian word and a Christian thing. It is the reverse of happiness. Happiness is the result of what happens of an agreeable sort. Joy has its springs deep down inside. And that spring never runs dry, no matter what happens. Only Jesus gives that joy.“

Interestingly, the Bible has only 20 references to the word happiness but over 200 references to joy. So, let’s look at the difference between the two. Happiness is a temporary feeling, whereas joy is a long-term emotion. Happiness is external: from the outside in. Joy is internal: an outward act of our will. Happiness depends on circumstances going right and on suffering diminishing, but real joy defies circumstances and can even grow when things are going wrong. In some ways, happiness is out of our control. Pursuing it is no guarantee of receiving it. But the “fullness of joy“ that Jesus gives us is there for us in abundance to receive, enjoy, and cultivate. Happiness runs shallow. Joy runs deep.

There is real power in the joy that God gives us. Lasting power. Think of it this way – happiness is like an electric shock, but joy is like fuel in the tank.

How full is your tank, and how can you fill it this coming week?

Written by ROBBIE PARKIN

Want more? Check out the Real Hope Conversations Podcast and listen as we delve further into the topic of Joy. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.