Last year, my course mates and I were having a conversation during our break. I can’t remember what exactly we were speaking about but the conversation proceeded to happiness. Someone specifically asked that I write an article about what happiness is. This article will be about the joy of the Lord with some references to happiness.
In the article My Story, I remember writing about the meaning of my name. You should read that article if you haven’t. My name means God has given me joy in my native language, Yoruba. I believe my name couldn’t be more significant than having the joy of the Lord.
Before delving deeper, what do you think Happiness and Joy mean?
The Cambridge dictionary describes Happiness as the feeling of being happy. While it describes happy as feeling, showing or causing pleasure or satisfaction.
Joy: Great happiness (a person or thing that causes happiness).
Many people are of the opinion that happiness can be overrated, while joy may be the more important one. What do you think?
Bible references to Joy
There are definitely verses where happiness has been used in the Bible but I have never encountered it. For a fact, you see many more verses with joy from Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 30:5 to Isaiah 61:7 and others as well.
Having joy is so important that it is listed as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22. Honestly, without the joy of the Lord, what is there? There are days when there’s no reason to rejoice but then you remember the joy of the Lord is your strength. That alone can propel you through those days and situations.
The Bible reference for this article is:
‘Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. ‘ Nehemiah 8:10
Joy over Happiness
What’s your take? Joy over Happiness or vice versa ? Do you think both are equally important? Let’s check the definitions above again, Joy is happiness but a greater amount than normal.
Now, can you bring the joy of the Lord in as a factor? Is it still the same as the statement made above? Honestly, I value the joy of the Lord in my life more than mere happiness, what about you?
With this in mind, I can understand why you or anyone believes that happiness is overrated and joy underrated. Let’s also use this analogy:
Joy can be everlasting whilst happiness can be momentary. Now let’s liken this momentary happiness to ecstasy, it will be there for sometime -You derive pleasure- then it fades, but you see joy is there constantly. There’s no fading away, that is the same way the joy of the Lord is.
Sincerely, knowing that God loves you is joy but partaking in that love is surreal. You know it doesn’t get better than that, that come what may, the love of God will stand. Hence, the joy of the Lord will be your strength.
Does the joy of the Lord come at an expense?
Certainly, the joy of the Lord is for those who know and have a personal relationship with God. That’s quite easy, you need to tell God to be the Lord and saviour of your life if you haven’t. If you think you’re not sure yet, you can read the Finding God series on my blog, click here .
There’s a popular saying among young people: “No matter what, do what makes you happy”. This statement is flawed because while you should do what makes you happy, it should never come at the expense of another person’s happiness.
Let this be your watchword: “No matter what, the joy of the Lord is my strength”. Even when the going gets tough, the joy of the Lord is your strength. Never doubt it!
Can I ask for a favour? Please can you guard your joy? Guard your joy as much as you would guard your life. The devil is constantly working to steal your joy and if you let him, there will be nothing left for you. You will be left feeling incomplete which is not what God wants for you.
May God help you and I to guard our joy jealously, Amen!
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