AUTHENTIC JOY VERSES WORLDLY HAPPINESS

“What makes you so happy?” the co-worker sarcastically asked. With a slight hesitation, I responded, “Do you really want to know?” She sneered, “I know…J…E…S…U…S.” I answered softly, “Yes, that’s right.”  A serious look came over her face as she whispered, “Will you go to lunch with me?” That day began a 54-year friendship as I shared the pure joy that comes from knowing, walking with, and loving the Son of God.

Years have passed since that day when I shared how pain, disappointment, and searching for happiness from an unforgiving world eventually led me to the cross. During that first year when she entrusted her life to Christ, her family witnessed a noticeable change. They began to ask questions just as she had asked me. And over time, she led her entire family to Christ. 

Before surrendering to Christ, Her dream was to be a writer for the secular world. However, her priorities changed and she wanted to share her newfound love for Christ. She became a prolific, award-winning author of multiple Christian fiction books that speak of an eternal love, forgiveness, hope, and inexplicable joy only found in Christ.

So, “What is the difference between authentic joy and worldly happiness?” Authentic joy is a daily challenge, especially in a world that promotes worldly pleasures as the ultimate source of happiness. Fortunately, the Bible has much to say about authentic joy which is diversely different from the world’s standards.

The first step in having authentic joy can be found in Romans 10:9. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Many, after committing their life and heart to Christ, will ask, “What do I do next?”

Jesus commands us to read His Word so we can know Him (John 5:39). It is His Word that direct our steps, provides wisdom, teaches truth and how to obey and trust Him. God’s Word reads us and is powerful and sharper than a two-edged sword. It divides soul and spirit and discerns thoughts and intentions (Hebrews 4:12). It lovingly corrects, guides, and encourages us.

Those truths are important for we are the branches, connected to the tree, who is Christ (John 15:10–15). Without Christ, we depend on self and the world, which fail to provide stability, peace, joy, and salvation.

Abiding in the love of Christ gives us unshakable confidence and security. No matter what happens in this life, we have assurance that He knows what is best for us. He has power to turn what is meant for harm into a victory (Genesis 50:20). That alone should fill us with peace and great joy.

Jesus taught His followers to ask for and seek truth, so that their joy would be complete (John 16:24). He called people blessed and told them to leap for joy when facing difficult situations because the ultimate prize is to be with Him for all eternity (Luke 6:23).

Godly joy is a deep, spiritual peace that comes from God and remains stable through hard times and daily life. That person is in a place characterized by having a spiritual steadiness that is independent of earthly circumstances and holds to an eternal mindset (2 Cor 4:18). True joy anchors the soul to God's unchanging character and His promises that outshine temporary human happiness.

Happiness, on the other hand, is fleeting, inconsistent, and depends on positive experiences in life. It is based on feelings and not on an abiding trust in God. Conversely, joy is constant regardless of circumstances because that person is anchored to the truth of God’s Word.

Many look for happiness in a relationship, a job, an activity, any worldly pleasure, or material things. Unfortunately, happiness is fleeting, so a person can be caught in an endless cycle of looking for the next thing to make them happy.

I discovered this truth in my early 40s. Although I had been a Christian since I was 26 years-old and loved the Lord, I came to the realization that I had not made God my sole source of joy that brings contentment and peace. I had confused joy and happiness as being the same. When I stopped looking to the world and to others for happiness, I found true joy, peace, and contentment in my relationship with the Lord.

PRAYER: FATHER, help me to seek You in all things. My desire, like the apostle Paul, is to look to You for pure joy that brings contentment and peace. Paul said, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13). Lord, help me to follow Paul’s example. In Jesus’ name, amen.