The difference between joy and happiness

"Look at my new bike, Mom," said the young boy. Ralph had long wanted a new bike. He was so happy, he could scarcely contain his emotions. "Wow, life is wonderful, I'm so thrilled I could die," he said to himself. Ralph was happy because he had acquired something he highly desired. It satisfied his want for the moment. Would it last?

Lois had recently heard the good news that her daughter was getting better. She was joyful she had been there to take care of Mindy while she healed. She held no regrets for the time and effort she had invested. She felt good inside because she had done what she needed to do, and Mindy had responded. It was largely because Lois had been by her side. Lois made sure she was given the attention she needed at the care facility where Mindy now resided. Lois felt indescribable joy and happiness she had given her life, for a time, to Mindy. She thanked God for her daughter's improvement in health. Regardless of what happened in the future, Lois would feel good inside, fulfilled because she had been there. That feeling of joy would never leave her.

Jack finally graduated from college, married, acquired a great job and bought a beautiful house. Then the couple was blessed with two children. Jack and his wife, Jill, were so happy. What more could they possibly want to bring them happiness? They had acquired everything on their wish list.

Then life began to get boring. What more could they strive for so they could stay happy? Weren't things, people, attainments and fulfilling desires supposed to be the ultimate goals? They looked at each other and wondered, "Is this all there is?"

The couple loved and helped their kids, but isn't that what you're supposed to do when you're a parent? Finally the two were invited to help at a homeless shelter. They decided to give it a try. There would be no prestige, material compensation or accolades connected to this work, but what they gained, within, was more satisfying -- joy.

Joy stays inside you. It makes you feel good about yourself, about the good you've done or even the good fortune of another person. It is enduring and joins your storehouse of inner strength -- the spiritual fortress that supports and shelters you. Joy is lasting, not artificial. It joins you when you take leave of this world. Happiness lasts for a while. Then it fades, waiting for something else to fill your void.

According to www.gotquestions.org, a Bible question site, "Happiness tends to be fleeting and depends upon temporal factors, like circumstances. Joy, on the other hand is true contentment that comes from internal factors, like our faith in the Lord. True joy is everlasting and not dependent upon circumstances."

You need never despair. What you own does not accompany you on your final journey toward God or heaven.

Regardless of what you physically see and experience, and how good or bad it seems, you can still be joyful -- joyful because of what's inside you. That is your true sense of your value and actions. Even if everyone and everything material is taken from you, it's possible to remain joyful. You have everything you need. You are part divine with God living within.

You may try to hold on too tightly to what you think brings you security and happiness -- like your standing in the community, the love of your children or your circle of friends. What if you lose those objects of your happiness? Try to remember that you are complete, even when alone. That's because you're never truly alone. Joy and completeness depend on your belief in your higher power. So don't hold on too tightly to what you think you can't do without. Find your joy in the spiritual. "I can do all things through him that strengths me" (Philippians 4:13).