We Find It in Unexpected Places
As we continue through this Advent season, in this third week we turn our focus to joy.
Joy isn’t the same as happiness. They’re very similar, but they are not the same thing.
Most dictionaries consider them to be synonymous. If you’re joyous, you’re happy, right? Wrong. Joy and happiness, while similar, are not the same. You can be happy but not joyous and vice versa. That’s because joy and happiness are both positive emotions but experienced differently. And both serve different purposes.
Happiness is ‘an emotional state that can occur through momentary experiences and is often dependent on external factors such as an achievement or gaining material satisfaction.’
‘Happiness often occurs spontaneously, in a moment arising through a convergence of time and place.’
Joy on the other hand is ‘a deep primary emotion individuals experience when they feel truly connected in relationships, are in alignment with their values, and/or have a sense of meaning and purpose.’
A complex emotion, joy signals pleasure but can also come with ‘a combination of grief and gratitude. Joy is the ability to affirm the goodness of life even in the midst of sorrow.’
Joy and happiness may be synonyms, but they are different experiences.
Happiness can come from things in a ‘here and now’ state like eating an ice cream cone or spending meaningful time with a loved one. Joy, in comparison, comes from a sustained internal and external relationship that creates fulfillment.
Things like being a part of a community, raising a child, or engaging in something you’re passionate about.
‘If happiness is the emotion we experience during lunch with a good friend, joy is the aggregate satisfaction we feel from meaningful relationships.’ 1
When Mary learned that she was pregnant (while not yet married), she likely felt fearful of disappointing her parents and Joseph. This wouldn’t have been a time of happiness. (Luke 1:26-38)
And yet, because of what she knew and the trust that God placed in her, she could still experience joy.
Joy can be found even in hard times.
After the angel told Mary that Elizabeth was also pregnant, Mary made the long and hard journey to see her. When Mary arrived and Elizabeth heard her voice, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb—John—leaped for joy. John’s joy came from being in the presence of Jesus, our Savior.
We, too, can find joy in the presence of our Savior.
Joy comes from meaningful relationships.
Happiness is a fleeting feeling, but joy endures.
- Vinney, Cynthia, PhD. “Experts Reveal the One Key Difference Between Joy and Happiness.” Very Well Mind, 30 Oct. 2024, https://www.verywellmind.com/joy-vs-happiness-8724682 ↩︎