Featured |Spa for the Soul

Happiness vs. Joy

By Jennifer Sanchez | bio | contact

The word happiness evokes thoughts of friends and family gathering to celebrate festivities, a large accomplished goal, traveling to an exotic place or spending quality time with family. Everyone wishes to be happy; in fact, we make chasing this elusive feeling one of life’s greatest pursuits. We inevitably think we’ll be happy if we receive that unnecessary luxury, travel to that place we’ve longed to visit or furnish our house anew. But what happens when our once new items get old, trials come or a family member passes away?

One thing we must all understand is that happiness is fleeting and depends on circumstances. Joy, on the other hand, only relies on our emotional well-being.

Joy is an attitude of the heart that is constant, unlike happiness, which is a feeling that waivers. In all our troubles, Joy knows no bounds. Troubles may come, but joy remains within.

We acquire joy when we truly understand that God is in control of all circumstances. Knowing that He holds the earth in the palm of His hands and is able to solve all our troubles gives us joy because we release all of our burdens. After all, if He asks us to release everything to Him, why should we worry?

Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Today, I encourage you to let go of all your heavy burdens and allow God to work. But, be patient. God’s timing is much different than ours. Have confidence in knowing that His ways are also much greater! Let go and let God.

Jesus was joyful because His death tore the veil between us and Heaven, allowing His children to approach the throne of grace in confidence. There is nothing that you’ve done that is unforgivable. He loves you!

Hebrews 12:12
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.