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Momentary happiness
When I saw this scientific formula for happiness in a Psychology Today article, I laughed out loud:
Although this absurd formula produced momentary happiness, it did not produce lasting joy. Please don't misunderstand; I enjoy a good laugh just like everyone else. That's why I appreciate Karl Barth's statement: “Laugh; is the closest thing to God's grace. “Although both happiness and joy can make us laugh, there is a significant difference between the two. A difference I experienced many years ago when my father died (we are pictured together on the right). Of course, I was not happy about my father's passing, but I was comforted and encouraged by the joy of knowing that he was experiencing a new nearness to God in eternity. The thought of this glorious reality continued and gave me joy. Depending on the translation, the Bible uses the words happy and happiness about 30 times, while rejoicing and rejoicing appear more than 300 times. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word Sama (translated to rejoice, joy and gladdened) is used to cover a wide range of human experiences such as sex, marriage, the birth of children, harvest, victory and drinking wine (Song of Songs 1,4 ; Proverbs 05,18; psalm 113,9; Isaiah 9,3 and Psalm 104,15). In the New Testament, the Greek word chara is primarily used to express joy in the redeeming act of God, the coming of His Son (Luke 2,10) and the resurrection of Jesus (Luke 24,41). As we read it in the New Testament, we understand that the word joy is more than a feeling; it is a defining characteristic of a Christian. Joy is part of the fruit produced by the inner work of the Holy Spirit.
We are well acquainted with the joy found in the good deeds in the parables of the prodigal sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son5,2-24) see. Through the restoration and reconciliation of that which was "lost," we see here the principal figure embodying God the Father as joy. Scripture also teaches us that true joy is not influenced by external circumstances such as pain, anguish, and loss. Joy can follow suffering for Christ's sake (Colossians 1,24) be. Even in the face of the terrible suffering and shame of the crucifixion, Jesus experiences great joy2,2).
Knowing the reality of eternity, many of us found true joy even when we had to say goodbye to a loved one. This is true because there is an unbreakable relationship between love and joy. We see this in Jesus' words as he summarized his teachings for his disciples: “I tell you all these things that my joy may be full to you, and your joy thereby complete. And so is my commandment: Love one another as I have loved you." (John 15,11-12). Just as we grow in God's love, so does our joy. Indeed, as we grow in love, all the fruit of the Holy Spirit grows in us.
In his letter to the church in Philippi, which Paul wrote during his imprisonment in Rome, he helps us understand the difference between happiness and joy. In this letter he used the words joy, joy and joy 16 times. I have visited many prisons and detention centers and typically you will not find happy people there. But Paul, chained in prison, felt joy without knowing whether he would live or die. Because of his faith in Christ, Paul was willing to see his circumstances through the eyes of faith in a very different light than most people would see. Notice what he said in Philippians 1,12-14 wrote:
"My dear brothers! I want you to know that my detention did not prevent the spread of the gospel. On the contrary! It has now become clear to all my guards here and also to the other participants in the trial that I am only imprisoned because I believe in Christ. In addition, many Christians have gained new courage and confidence through my imprisonment. They are now preaching God's word without fear and without timidity.”
These powerful words came from the inner joy that Paul experienced despite his circumstances. He knew who he was in Christ and who Christ was in him. In Philippians 4,11-13 he wrote:
"I'm not saying this to draw your attention to my need. After all, I have learned to get along in all situations in life. Whether I have little or much, I am quite familiar with both, and so I can cope with both: I can be full and starve; I can be in want and I can have in abundance. I can do all this through Christ, who gives me power and strength.”
We can summarize the difference between happiness and joy in many ways.
- Happiness is temporary, often lasting only a moment or the result of short-term satisfaction. Joy is eternal and spiritual, a key to realizing who God is and what He has done, what He is doing and will do.
- Because happiness depends on many factors. It is fleeting, still deepening or maturing. Joy also evolves as we grow in our relationship with God and with each other.
- Happiness comes from temporal, external events, observations and actions. Joy lies in you and comes from the work of the Holy Spirit.
Because God created us to communion with himself, nothing else can satisfy our souls and bring us lasting joy. By faith, Jesus lives in us and we in him. Because we no longer live for ourselves, we can rejoice in all situations, even in suffering (James 1,2), uniting with Jesus who suffered for us. Despite his great suffering in prison, Paul wrote in Philippians 4,4: "Rejoice that you belong to Jesus Christ. And I want to say it again: Rejoice!"
Jesus called us to a life of self-giving for others. In this life there is a seemingly paradoxical statement: "Whoever would save his life at any cost will lose it, but whoever lays down his life for me will gain it forever." (Matthew 16,25). As human beings, we often spend hours or days giving little thought to God's glory, love, and holiness. But I'm sure that when we see Christ in His full glory, we'll put our heads together and say, "How could I have given so much attention to other things?"
We do not yet see Christ as clearly as we would like. We live in slums, so to speak, and it's hard to imagine places we've never been. We are too busy trying to survive the slum to enter God's glory (see our article The Joy of Salvation). The joy of eternity makes it possible to understand the sufferings of this life as opportunities to receive grace, to know God, and to trust Him more deeply. We come to appreciate the joys of eternity even more after struggling with the bondage of sin and all the difficulties of this life. We will appreciate glorified bodies even more after experiencing the pain of our physical bodies. I believe that's why Karl Barth said, "Joy is the simplest form of gratitude." We can be thankful that joy was established before Jesus. She enabled Jesus to endure the cross. Likewise, joy was also set before us.
Joseph Tkach
President GRACE COMMUNION INTERNATIONAL
