happiness vs. joy

happiness. we're all looking for it, right? we all want to lead happy lives, to have happy marriages, to watch our children grow up to be happy.

but is it what God desires for us?

happiness

hap [middle english] : one's luck or lot; an occurrence, happening, or accident

happiness is based on happenings, circumstance. it's temporary. it's dependent on what happens to you. but God wants much more for us than mere circumstantial + temporary happy feelings.

+ I'm glad He does.

my happiest moments were just moments.

real joy is a whole different ball game.

happiness may come from time to time, but those moments are only by-products of the real deal. the ultimate destination God has in store for us is a great life of joy, both now + forever.

God wants to produce joy in you. He wants His children to experience joy.

joy

gaudia [latin] : to rejoice

joy is the positive confidence that comes by knowing + trusting God, regardless of the circumstances.

as believers, we will have times of deep unhappiness. but we will always have a reassurance, confidence, knowledge, and -- more important than a feeling -- an experience of true joy.

happiness is circumstantial, joy is relational

true joy comes from a real relationship with God, regardless of the circumstances.

the kind of thing you can't fake. you can't produce joy.

it doesn't make sense to a lot of people.

a peace that passes all understanding.

so why do I settle for moments of happiness instead of truly experiencing joy?