Joy or Happiness?

This was on my mind today-borrowed from myself-a social media note I originally posted April 30, 2012.

Happiness is: dependent on circumstances

                    temporary

                    sometimes deceptive

Joy is: not dependent on circumstance

          lasting

          based on truth

If we expect happiness to last, we will always be disappointed-in life, in ourselves, in other people, in God, because when none of these can keep us happy, we blame them each in turn for failing us. What we really want and need is joy. James chapter 1 says:

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Joy is: peace in the midst of the storm

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  Mark 4:39

Joy is: knowing you are never alone, no matter the circumstances that surround you

"lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20

God never promised the Christian a life of ease and happiness. He promised trials, persecution, sorrows. But He promised to be with us through it all. That is our joy, that though we live in this broken world, we have someone to cling through, who always understands, always loves, always helps.

"there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24

Joy is: knowing where we are headed

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4

And our joy is also that this world is not our final destination, but rather a journey back home.