Devotionals

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Ever have a bad day and meet up with a person who is just as happy as a Wal-Mart smiley face? Didn’t you feel like snarling, “What are you so happy about?!”? Actually, that’s not a bad question, especially when it’s asked sincerely, without a snarl.
I’ve just read two books about happiness: one by a secu-lar psychologist, and one by a pastor-theologian. The simi-larities and differences are striking. Both agree that man’s ultimate goal is happiness, but they disagree as to how that happiness is defined and where it is found. The first book is based on “good” psychology. However, good psychology is like good comedy: it has impact because it unveils what we already know, whether or not we know we know it. However, both are equally ineffective at effecting lasting change. The second book is based on the Bible, and, therefore, has im-pact for eternity.
This devotional begins a short series on Happiness. Since it is the goal of every action and motive, whether we realize it or not, it pays to examine this topic and discover how to squeeze every last drop of happiness out of life. After all, as Red Skelton used to say, “You might as well enjoy life—you’re not going to get out alive anyway!”
Well, in order to conform to truth-in-advertising laws, I’ll confess that I can’t guarantee you instant bliss and happy feelings in this life. Even our psychologist friend admits in his book that he can’t do that. But I can guarantee you never-ending joy, even beyond the grave.
Notice the switch from the word happiness to joy. This may seem insignificant; in fact, many dictionaries list them as synonyms. I submit that there is a difference, and we will examine the facets of that difference now and in future devo-tionals.
When discussing any subject, it’s best to begin by defining the terms.
Happiness is an emotion, as is joy. Both are feelings, and, in fact, they are kissin’ cousins. However, happiness is a volatile emotion that changes based on circumstances, whereas joy is an underlying feeling that is independent of the situations of life. Happiness is immediate, whereas joy is based on hope. Emotions like happiness are untrustworthy guides for living life, whereas joy is a sure barometer of a right path.
Happiness (or the loss of it) tends to be blamed on tempo-ral circumstances, felt needs, people, places, possessions, etc. Joy is internal and is modulated by the person’s rela-tionship with Jesus Christ. Therefore, happiness is based on shifting sand, whereas joy is a firm foundation, built upon the Rock of Ages.
Happiness is something that we occasionally convince ourselves or others of. We often try to rationalize something we’ve done wrong or that didn’t make us happy, and we try to hide our unhappiness. How many of our family pictures exhibit fake smiles? How often do we try to convince our-selves that we DID make the “right” decision, marry the “right” person, buy the “best” car, etc., when we know we blew it?
Joy, on the other hand, is not based on our decisions. It does not fade when the ideal we had in mind fades away. It does not need to be transferred from one person or object to another to achieve satisfaction.
For the next few weeks, we will delve more deeply into these differences, and examine the things that we think make us happy: power, family, health, and others. I’d be happy if you’d come along for the ride!

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