Joy
Read: Isaiah 51:11
Those whom you have rescued will reach Jerusalem with gladness, singing and shouting for joy. They will be happy forever, forever free from sorrow and grief.
There are many similarities between joy and happiness. They are both positive, make you smile, and improve your day. But there are also some big differences. So let’s explore the differences between joy and happiness.
Happiness happens to you. When a friend sends words of encouragement, you get the job, or find your lost keys, you feel happy. It is a response and it feels good. But, like all emotions, happiness fades over time.
Joy is different. In the Bible, joy is not an emotion. It is an attitude. Joy is a resilient cheerfulness anchored in the goodness of God. Think of it like a lens, helping you see your life in a different way. Joy recognizes the pain people experience every day but also remembers God’s kindness, love, and good plans for the world. Then, joy allows these truths to influence how we speak, act, and present ourselves.
So what does joy look like? Well it does not always look like constant smiling and a bubbly personality. Instead, it looks like a perspective informed by the good news of Jesus. Imagine your best friend has a surprise party later in the day. It is your job to keep them busy until the celebration kicks off. So while you do ordinary activities with your friend, knowing there is a party coming changes your attitude. Knowing good news changes you, so it is often hard to hide.
As followers of Jesus, we know the best news—God loves us despite our flaws and failures and will do whatever it takes to restore every broken, painful, and unjust thing in our world. When we trust this news, joy overflows from our lives into the people around us, no matter what we are facing.
Adapted from the devotional Advent: A 25-Day Countdown to Christmas
