“Happiness”, says Charlie Brown, “is a warm puppy”. Linus says, “Happiness is a soft blanket.” They are both correct. Happiness is a ‘thing’. - a manmade man-maintained fleeting emotion that belongs to this world. How many homes and churches have been broken up in the pursuit of happiness? Spouse not making you happy? Find another one. Not happy at church? Try another one. Making happiness the goal of our lives is a dangerous, destructive business.
JOY! Now THAT belongs to the Christian! Years ago Pastor Grover loaned me a book by Rich Wagner - The Myth of Happiness. Wagner writes not so much about Happiness as about Grace, Peace and Joy. What lovely words all. He writes that ‘Grace offers eternity while Joy gives us a glimpse of what eternity will be like.’
It is difficult to explain the difference between happiness and Joy, but If you are a parent you will remember the happiness you experienced when you learned your baby was healthy. Now recall the sheer Joy of holding him the first time. There is a difference.
Maybe the best part of Joy is that it cannot be apart from Peace. They are two sides of the same coin. You cannot experience one without the other. Wagner says it well:
Joy is Peace dancing. Peace is Joy at rest. I wish you both.
Happiness Vs. Joy - Anne Phillips
Happiness Vs. Joy - Anne Phillips
“Happiness”, says Charlie Brown, “is a warm puppy”. Linus says, “Happiness is a soft blanket.” They are both correct. Happiness is a ‘thing’. - a manmade man-maintained fleeting emotion that belongs to this world. How many homes and churches have been broken up in the pursuit of happiness? Spouse not making you happy? Find another one. Not happy at church? Try another one. Making happiness the goal of our lives is a dangerous, destructive business.
JOY! Now THAT belongs to the Christian! Years ago Pastor Grover loaned me a book by Rich Wagner - The Myth of Happiness. Wagner writes not so much about Happiness as about Grace, Peace and Joy. What lovely words all. He writes that ‘Grace offers eternity while Joy gives us a glimpse of what eternity will be like.’
It is difficult to explain the difference between happiness and Joy, but If you are a parent you will remember the happiness you experienced when you learned your baby was healthy. Now recall the sheer Joy of holding him the first time. There is a difference.
Maybe the best part of Joy is that it cannot be apart from Peace. They are two sides of the same coin. You cannot experience one without the other. Wagner says it well:
Joy is Peace dancing. Peace is Joy at rest. I wish you both.