Joy.
We have all USED the word joy at some point in our life and we have all FELT the word joy in our life.
What is it that brings YOU joy?
Is it fishing? or dancing? or every time you get to hug your loved ones?
Really, It could be anything. Anything that makes you internally bust with happiness no matter what the circumstances. But I think sometimes we confuse happiness with joy. In order to get a better understanding of these words to see what they truly mean.
Happiness:
Where did the word come from? – This is from the Middle English hap meaning “chance” or “good luck.” We can see the remnants of this in our words perhaps and happenstance.
Definition:
noun: the state of being happy; a pleasurable or satisfying experience
Joy:
Where did the word come from?
Joy comes from the Greek root word chara and means “to be exceedingly glad.”
Definition:
verb: to experience great pleasure or delight
noun: a feeling of great happiness; a source or cause of great happiness : something or someone that gives joy to someone
If you just look at the definitions of the word, it can seem like they are almost exactly the same. But there is one detail that actually separates them. Happiness can come and go. It is fleeting. Happiness usually depends on other temporary factors or sometimes even on people. It is easy to be happy when things are awesome. When you are financially secure, when you are on great terms with all of your friends when life going well. But what happens when things are not so good in one or possibly all of these areas? Where does the happiness go? Why do we start on a down cycle?
Because we are missing JOY!
Joy is true contentment. It is constantly swirling inside of us despite our circumstances. No matter what is happening in our life; the good, the bad and even the ugly, we are content with the situation and know that it will soon pass.
I love to run into those that are a generation ahead of me and see the smiles on their faces. They have reached a place in life that we all strive for, a place of contentment. I don’t have to know their story. I know they lived life like the rest of us, the roller coaster of ups and downs. I know they are at a place where fear has lost and they tackle the day for what it is, just another day. But, they do it with a smile that never fades. The joy inside just won’t let it fade.
You can have joy and be happy but you can’t really be happy without joy.
Be joyful this holiday season. No matter what your situation brings, tackle it with JOY.
John 16:22
Micah