Have you ever wondered what the difference is between happiness and joy? A pastor from Nebraska has some thoughts on that question.
Dan Delzell , the pastor of Wellspring Lutheran Church in Papillion, Nebraska writes in the Christian Post that Happiness is like a water fountain. Joy is like a waterfall.
Happiness is often quite shallow. Joy always runs very deep. Happiness wears off rather quickly. Joy tends to stick around for the long haul.
Happiness usually revolves around things. Joy is found in relationships with loved ones.
Delzell writes if you’re chasing happiness in life, you are not alone. It is a common pursuit. And yet, it seems to elude many people.
Jesus offers something much deeper than happiness. The joy of the Lord becomes our strength the moment we turn to Christ in humility, sincerity, repentance, and faith. By recognizing the fact that we are spiritually bankrupt, we are then in a position to rely completely upon Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
And he adds, chasing after happiness is a futile pursuit. All the time spent chasing something could have been spent relying upon Someone. The more we rely on God, the more joy we experience. The more we chase things, the more restless we become.
Delzell quotes Psalm 16:11, “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”