Joy is a word often associated with this time of the year. In fact, signs and banners are often flown on lamp posts and in store fronts with the word "Joy." What is the significance of joy and how is it different from happiness?
When most people are asked what they want most in life, the number one answer is usually happiness. [1] When people are asked what makes them happy, they usually reply with: money, possessions, a good standing in life or tranquility within themselves or their family. But, do these things bring happiness? Studies have show that riches do not bring ultimate happiness. [2] In fact, money seems to make people less happy. And, everybody knows that having a good position in life or a good family situation is never lasting; it never fulfills a person's life. In other words, happiness comes and goes depending upon your circumstances. Depression is overwhelming in our society and seems to be ramping up along with suicide. [3] So, happiness, while good, is not something that lasts and fulfills a person's life. Happiness comes in waves and always depends upon the circumstances we experience. Everybody gets happy and everybody gets sad.
How about joy? What makes joy so different than happiness? One dictionary definition of joy states, that it is a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. [4] But, if this is the case, joy too would be something that depends on our circumstances. Surely this definition is lacking. As the Grinch stated, in Dr. Seuss' book, "How the Grinch stole Christmas", “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!” Likewise, joy means a whole lot more than happiness.
When Jesus tried to prepare his followers for the time he would be executed in Jerusalem, he said this to them, "Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy... So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy (John 16:20,22) ." Did you catch it? Joy is something that can't be taken away. Joy is something that is lasting. Joy is something that is fulfilling. True joy only comes in a relationship with God himself. That is why the angels announcing the birth of Jesus said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord (Luke 2:10)."
Joy is NOT dependent upon our circumstances. Joy comes in a fulfilling relationship with God himself. Joy even comes in suffering, as James states, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds (James 1:2)." We can have joy in the midst of our suffering. The followers of God were often persecuted and many were put to death, but consider their state of mind. They were joyful even during their times of distress, as Paul talked about the Believers in Macedonia, "In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity (2 Corinthians 8:2)." Joy comes comes wrapped up in a baby born some 2000 years ago by the name of Jesus. That is why the angels proclaimed the arrival of great joy and today we sing, "Joy to the world, the Lord has come!"
[1] Forbes study on "The Top 8 Things People Desperately Desire"
[2] Wealth does not always equate with happiness
[3] Increase in depression and suicide
[4] Joy
When most people are asked what they want most in life, the number one answer is usually happiness. [1] When people are asked what makes them happy, they usually reply with: money, possessions, a good standing in life or tranquility within themselves or their family. But, do these things bring happiness? Studies have show that riches do not bring ultimate happiness. [2] In fact, money seems to make people less happy. And, everybody knows that having a good position in life or a good family situation is never lasting; it never fulfills a person's life. In other words, happiness comes and goes depending upon your circumstances. Depression is overwhelming in our society and seems to be ramping up along with suicide. [3] So, happiness, while good, is not something that lasts and fulfills a person's life. Happiness comes in waves and always depends upon the circumstances we experience. Everybody gets happy and everybody gets sad.How about joy? What makes joy so different than happiness? One dictionary definition of joy states, that it is a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. [4] But, if this is the case, joy too would be something that depends on our circumstances. Surely this definition is lacking. As the Grinch stated, in Dr. Seuss' book, "How the Grinch stole Christmas", “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!” Likewise, joy means a whole lot more than happiness.
When Jesus tried to prepare his followers for the time he would be executed in Jerusalem, he said this to them, "Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy... So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy (John 16:20,22) ." Did you catch it? Joy is something that can't be taken away. Joy is something that is lasting. Joy is something that is fulfilling. True joy only comes in a relationship with God himself. That is why the angels announcing the birth of Jesus said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord (Luke 2:10)."
Joy is NOT dependent upon our circumstances. Joy comes in a fulfilling relationship with God himself. Joy even comes in suffering, as James states, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds (James 1:2)." We can have joy in the midst of our suffering. The followers of God were often persecuted and many were put to death, but consider their state of mind. They were joyful even during their times of distress, as Paul talked about the Believers in Macedonia, "In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity (2 Corinthians 8:2)." Joy comes comes wrapped up in a baby born some 2000 years ago by the name of Jesus. That is why the angels proclaimed the arrival of great joy and today we sing, "Joy to the world, the Lord has come!"
[1] Forbes study on "The Top 8 Things People Desperately Desire"
[2] Wealth does not always equate with happiness
[3] Increase in depression and suicide
[4] Joy
Comments
Post a Comment