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Happiness & Joy: Two Views


According to the dictionary, joy and happiness are almost synonyms.

Since Christians live in the English-speaking world, they are largely influenced by the world’s definitions. The cover story in the most recent issue* of National Geographic Magazine is “The Search for Happiness.” The subtitle is, “What we can learn from Costa Rica, Denmark, and Singapore—the most joyful places on the planet.”

In each of these “happiest” places, the government has provided for people’s salaries, living, healthcare, and other physical provisions through high taxes. In other words, “happiness” is not having any responsibilities to be anxious about.

That is the world’s view. There is a biblical solution to anxiety which is entirely different, and which the world cannot understand. It is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These words are in the world’s vocabulary, but anybody who is not a Christian cannot have any of them as part of his life. If they have them, it is with a different definition.

The joy the Christian receives has nothing to do with entertainment or recreation. It is based on his relationship and fellowship with God, based upon his sins being forgiven.

Non-Christians cannot have this joy or love or peace. They are only given by the Holy Spirit. Christians can experience them, but many don’t because they disobey God and do not confess their disobedience in order to be forgiven and have joy again.

There is a sequence of obedience that sets you free from anxiety.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thess. 5:16-18) 

 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!... Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:4, 6-7)

If you are thanking God in all circumstances, you are also rejoicing in the Lord always. If you are rejoicing in the Lord always, you are anxious for nothing, and the peace of God guards your heart.

The non-Christian who desires this state must settle for the world’s solution or call upon the Lord for salvation.

The reason the world thinks joy and happiness are the same is they think that they are both feelings based upon circumstances. Joy in the Bible is only based upon relationship and fellowship with God because of the forgiveness of sins. Besides being there because of fellowship, joy should be expressed by obeying the command.

 

*Written November 2017.

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