Let's face it. Something all humans have in common is just to be happy. All of us. Now, mind you, exactly what makes an individual happy may vary widely, but happiness is a universal drive. And it's not like happiness is wrong. It's not. But the drive for happiness can be abused. And it can be elusive. And why is that? It's because happiness is the feeling of well-being and contentment. Lacking one or both of those disrupts happiness. And then there's joy. Now, in English the two are synonymous, but biblically there is a difference. Happiness is an emotional response to circumstances, but joy, biblically, is a command (Php 3:1; Php 4:4; 1 Thess 5:16; 1 Peter 4:13). Now, we know that you cannot command emotional responses, so there is something about joy that can be a choice rather than an emotional response. In English terms, joy is objective -- based on facts -- while happiness is subjective -- based on personal feelings. Objective is based on thinking and subjective is based on feeling. We are never commanded to feel happy, but we are commanded to have joy.
So what's the secret? Is there a way to enjoy the emotion we call "happiness" more in our lives? Or are we doomed to wander through life hoping for more pleasant circumstances that cause us to respond with more pleasant feelings? I think there is hope for happiness. Consider. If happiness is an emotional response to the perception of positive circumstances -- if we were to perceive that we were content and in pleasant conditions -- we would respond emotionally with ... happiness, wouldn't we? So how can that happen? If there is a way to convince ourselves that life's turns and trials are positive, wouldn't that result in joy? And if we had that belief that circumstances were good, wouldn't we respond emotionally with happiness?
It's easy, actually, and not ... at all. The answer is simple; the doing is not. Here's the idea. If joy is the belief that my circumstances are good, I can always be joyful because "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Rom 8:28). Note, first, the source: God. Completely reliable; never fails. Second, the scope: all things. Not some. Not maybe. All things. If we know that God causes all things to work together for good, then we know that all circumstances are for our best. If we know that we are more than conquerors in every circumstance (Rom 8:31-39), we can be joyful in every circumstance. And if we are viewing our circumstances as good because God is good, then our emotional response should be happiness. Or, let's try this another way. If we believe that God exists and that "He is a rewarder of those who seek Him" (Heb 11:6), then we can rejoice in all circumstances and, having joy in all circumstances, we can experience happiness. Easy, right? No, of course not. But the difficulty is only a matter of faith ... of what you really believe.
I have heard of the differentiations between “happiness” and “joy” and how those distinctions might look in one’s life. After thinking about this today, I can honestly say that “happiness” and “joy” have blended for me personally. Since I focus on all the real things that I have in the Lord--His salvation, blessings, help, provision, fellowship, grace, etc.--I am very content. My sense of well-being is not based on temporal circumstances (with their ups and downs) but on my being a child of God through Christ--a reality that never changes for a moment. As you point out, this is the very practical outcome of one’s beliefs, i.e. “a matter of faith”--that precious gift from God that changes everything.
ReplyDeleteYes, contentment nestles nicely in joy and its emotional response, happiness. Paul said he was content in all circumstances because of "Him who strengthens me" (Php 4:13).
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the meme of the cartoon dog sitting at a table with a grin on his face while the room around him is on fire. It's meant to demonstrate a denial of reality, but if we look at it through the lens of what Scripture says, we should be that dog, not because the fire is fine, but because God is with us making the unfine situation good.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that to seek and practice joy is the answer. I believe that if we have joy, that happiness will likely follow, and if not than contentment. I'm also saying that after a long business drought, it's not easy to find joy or contentment. I'm trying, but it's hard.
ReplyDeleteI think it requires us telling ourselves the truth in the face of appearances to the contrary.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Stan, I think of the admonition to “walk by faith”--i.e. the truths we know about an infinite God--and not “by sight”--i.e. what we perceive with our finite faculties. It comes down to this: “Does my faith have substance? Or is it just empty sentiments?” I try to be mindful in the hard times that “this is where the rubber meets the road.”
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