The difference between Joy and Happiness

Posted by chrystibella on May 2, 2009

What is the difference between happiness and joy?  Which one would you rather feel?  Which one lasts longer?

No matter how difficult life may be, no matter what trials one is going through, one can still feel joy.  Joy is what lasts no matter what the circumstances are.  We can still have faith no matter what the circumstances.

Faith and hope give me promise of happiness.  It’s existence is there somewhere beyond my grasp.  Sometimes it comes close enough for me to catch it and for a short while I have it.  I’m happy when I meet with friends.  I’m happy when I have enough money to pay my bills.  I’m happy when I’m eating ice cream or doing something fun.

Happiness only lasts for a short time.

Joy is what I feel when I look outside and see the squirrel who lives in the tree outside my window, or the birds.  I feel joy when I think about my son or my family and friends.  Joy feels my heart no matter what circumstance I’m dealing with at the moment.  I can see a lovely view and feel joy.

Joy seems easier to obtain, lasts longer and feels greater than happiness.

May you always have joy in your life.