Would you rather have happiness in the moment, or lasting joy no matter what?

Let’s face it … life is hard. No one goes unscathed on this side of heaven. There are bills to pay, mouths to feed, unemployment, broken relationships, not to mention, homelessness, natural disasters, wars and oppression.

In between the hardships, there are moments of happiness:  a beautiful day, a stranger’s kind words, a child’s smile, or finding an unexpected twenty-dollar bill in a coat pocket. These moments are there if we notice them, but they also seem … fleeting. 

There are countless times I feel happy one moment--“Yay, I have just enough points for a free coffee on my app!”--but then 30 minutes later, I get a text from a close friend that her marriage is ending and my happiness instantly fades to sorrow.

Why can’t we hold on to these fleeting moments? What do I need to do to be happy? How can I have lasting happiness? I mean, doesn’t God want me to be happy?

Interestingly, the Bible doesn’t talk much about “happiness”--at least what our western culture would deem as happiness. Cultural happiness is generally tied to material possessions, position (vocationally or relationally), or positive circumstances.

It makes sense as to why happiness seems fleeting because even if we achieve any or all these things, happiness may stay for a moment, but it always leaves us wanting more. In other words, we’ll always need more to stay happy.

What the Bible does refer to often is joy. Is there a difference between joy and happiness?

Let’s explore what God has to say:

You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11 

Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy … Galatians 5:22

So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. John 16:22

What stands out in most of these verses is that God offers a joy that is complete, lacking nothing:

-”... in your presence there is fullness of joy …”

-”... that your joy may be full …”

-”May the God of hope fill you with all joy …”

There is nothing fleeting about the joy that God offers to each one of us. This joy remains despite all the brokenness that surrounds us on a daily basis. This joy is rock solid, “... no one will take your joy from you.” This joy is not something you earn, it is a gift, “Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” This joy comes by allowing the Holy Spirit to produce it within us, “... the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy …” 

This joy is counter-cultural, not dependent on material possessions, success, or positive circumstances. This joy is based on a relationship with the only One who can offer it to us.

S0, would I rather have happiness in the moment or lasting joy no matter what? I choose joy. Which do you choose?

Feel free to pray with me:

Heavenly Father, thank you for offering true joy. I confess that I long to be happy–to have things that make me happy; to have success in relationships and jobs; to always have positive circumstances. While I know happiness may come at times, none of these things or situations will bring me lasting and full happiness or joy. Only You, Jesus, can make my joy complete. Only You, Holy Spirit, can produce the fruit of joy in my life. I surrender to You, trusting You to be my joy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.