Week 44: Are joy and happiness the same thing?
Last week we discovered that love is a choice we make, not an emotion we can’t control. Our emotions come and go – sometimes we’re happy, and at other times we’re sad. The Bible doesn’t say much about happiness, but it talks a lot about being joyful. What’s the difference? Are joy and happiness the same thing? Let’s check it out!
Be ready to read the following passages:
Let’s start it.
What caused you to be happy or sad in the past week?
Let’s learn it.
The things that happen to you and around you can make you either happy or sad for a while. Joy, however, goes beyond just feeling happy because it isn’t an emotion – it’s a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23.) Jesus compared joy to the happiest occasion imaginable. Take a look at what He said in John 16:19-24; 28.
The disciples were sad because Jesus told them He was going away. He said that their sadness would turn into joy. They didn’t completely understand, but Jesus was talking about His death and resurrection. He explained it this way – a mother holding her baby is joyful, even though giving birth caused her pain. Jesus knew that going to the Cross would be painful, but it would give His followers the joy of new life – spiritual life. After His death, the disciples would see Jesus again! And no one would be able to take their joy away because it would come from the Holy Spirit living within them.
As followers of Jesus, we too have the joy of a new life in Him. But the reasons to be joyful don’t stop there. We can rejoice simply because God has given us another day to live for Him (Psalm 118:24). Turn to James 1:2 to discover another reason to be joyful.
Seriously? How can we have joy when bad things are happening? Look back at James 1 and read verses 3-4. God uses the challenges you face to develop qualities like perseverance as you listen to and obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit. You may be in an unhappy situation, but you can rejoice that God is helping you to grow spiritually. What three words in Philippians 4:4 can help you to rejoice in any situation?
Emotions like happiness and sadness come and go, but you can always have joy “in the Lord.” Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, who never leaves us – no matter what situation we’re in.
Let’s discuss it.
- Based on what you’ve just learned, discuss whether or not you think happiness and joy are the same thing.
- Talk with your family about how God can help you to be joyful in an unhappy situation.
Let’s do it.
God instructs His followers to be joyful all the time (1 Thessalonians 5:16), and His Word tells us how to do that (Philippians 4:4). You might not always be happy, but God says that you can always be joyful. As a matter of fact, we’re told that we should be joyful…no matter what. When you’re faced with a difficult situation, remember that you are “in the Lord” and look for what God wants you to learn.
Have you been a “fruitful” follower of Christ in the past week? Keep working to memorize all nine qualities from Galatians 5:22-23 until every family member can say them by heart.