Sitha suggested that I discuss the difference between joy and happiness.

When I think of happiness I think of a surface-level emotion associated with outward circumstances. Things that make one happy: winning a game in sports, doing well on a test, receiving a compliment, eating good food, etc. Happiness can be fleeting; when circumstances change, happiness may fade or turn to some other emotion. Happiness can be boisterous and demonstrative (and that’s ok, but not necessary). It is more emotional.

I find joy to be a deeper matter than happiness. Joy is related to ultimate things, a contentment and confidence in and from God. It is closely related to trust and faith; that is, without faith in God, it would be very difficult to have joy. It is closely related to love in that knowing that one is loved by God is the foundation of joy. It depends on ultimate hope. Joy runs deep and is lasting; it fuels the Christian life in confident peace. Joy is the ground in which emotional health is rooted. We are restless for joy; knowing that it should be even when it is not… and we long for it.

Consider the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount:

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven. Being “blessed” is the condition of being favored by God; all is made well. Joy is the internal condition of a Christian as a result of this favor. It does not come through the normal means by which we tend to pursue happiness, but by the attitudes Jesus teaches here and in the remainder of the sermon.

C.S. Lewis described joy as a strong sense or feeling that came to him at unpredictable times. It was often associated with experiencing artistic or creative beauty. He perceived it as a longing for ultimate beauty and good as much as a feeling. To him, it seemed as much a desire as a sense of well-being, though highly desirable in itself. Joy was a clue to ultimate things; a call to relationship with God- the exclusive source of the contentment of which this joy was a clue. See Lewis’ autobiographical book Surprised by Joy for his discussion of joy.

I feel something like what Lewis described as joy from time to time. It comes unpredictably, but with common elements in its appearance. Special times with family, amazing natural beauty, a special connection with an artistic accomplishment, deep worship or special times of prayer, recognition of God’s work and love in the lives of those who are dear…. these have all been times to experience joy as Lewis described it. In spite of the transient nature of these experiences, they seem essentially different from what I have described as happiness. It seems as if the timeless joy of eternity, when all is as it should be, is breaking in to the here and now as a sample of the blessedness that is to be in the kingdom of heaven. The peace and joy of Christ today is a foretaste of what God has in store for his children.

Some pursue happiness, longing for joy. Certain forms of happiness can be a poor substitute – even additive. But fundamentally, where there is no Jesus – no kingdom of heaver; there is no lasting joy, only the hints and foretastes of joy that point to the ever-lasting joy that God intends for those who trust him.