Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Joy vs. Happiness

Christmas is a time of the year where we wish others joy. Notice we don't wish them happiness. We want them to be happy but we don't traditionally wish them happiness.

But what is joy exactly? Is it the same thing as happiness?

According to the old trustworthy standard, Webster's Dictionary:

Joy is "an emotion evoked by well-being, success or the good fortune of possessing what one desires." and

Happiness is "a state of well-being or contentment".

So,they're they are essentially the same thing, right? No they are not!

The root word for happiness is "hap" and that is the same as the root word for happen.

Hap means "chance or fate". Therefore, happiness is a state of contentment directly related to circumstances or fate.

Joy is something much deeper and is not related to circumstances or "happenings".

In my experience, nothing on this earth will bring joy - just happiness...

If you want true joy you need Jesus!

J - Jesus
O - others
Y - yourself


So, keep wishing strangers joy and know in your heart that true joy can only be felt by knowing Jesus!

Spread this to others and I hope to see you down the trail...

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