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People often consider happiness and joy to be the same thing.

They feel that joy is a more intense form of happiness. Although, when you look up the definition of both words, the other word does appear, but not as part of the main definition. There are distinct differences between happiness and joy.

Happiness is something we feel externally, and briefly.

Whatever makes us happy in this world will only last for a little while. The happy feeling soon wears off, and we constantly want more. Whether it’s money, music, sports, relationships, drugs and alcohol or countless other things, they will only make us happy for a period of time.

With earthly things, we can never get enough and we find ourselves constantly chasing that ‘happy’ feeling. Often times we can end up causing great harm to ourselves or others.

Joy, on the other hand, is internal and long lasting.

Joy comes from things and actions we do for others through our relationship with Jesus. Feeding the homeless, giving our time and money in time of disaster, helping to teach young children how to be kind and productive adults—these are just a few things that can bring us joy.

Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23a).

The Bible also tells us to count it as joy, when we have problems:

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2-3).

This verse can be difficult to understand, unless you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Obtaining this personal relationship is rather simple, and I will explain this in a moment.

One very easy way to experience joy is to always look for ways to do something positive for someone, and expect absolutely nothing in return. Pay for a stranger’s meal, mow a neighbor’s yard, or wash their car—these are just a few things a person can do for someone. Doing things like this will be difficult, if not impossible, without Jesus Christ at the center of our lives.

So how does one have a personal relationship with Jesus and make Him the center of ones’ life?

Well, to put it in simple terms, you admit to God that you are a sinner. You believe in Jesus Christ as God’s Son, and you confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life. It really is that simple, and it really is that simple to experience joy in your life.

So ask yourself, do you want to always be chasing happiness or experiencing joy? The choice is yours.

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