My definition of joy
My sister-in-love went to a conference on joy at her church recently. When she came home, as we were reflecting on her time, she asked me what my definition of joy is. Wow! It is like saying define the universe and give an example! There is no way to give a thin answer to such a deep and meaningful concept.
As I have thought about it for a few days, I am aware that there are multiple nuanced definitions of the idea of joy. Many people separate joy and happiness; the former is a deep confidence, and the latter is less than complete, based on circumstances or emotions. Maybe. There is evidence that joy and happiness can be synonymous and yet are different at times. I do not mean to deny the distinction between joy and happiness, by both popular psychology and many theologians, that joy is a sustained state of well-being while happiness is a temporary feeling that happens because of circumstances. While that is true, it is only a partial, if not shallow, view of this rich concept.
First: My rationale for a broader and deeper definition is because the biblical words for happiness and joy are used interchangeably rather than representing separate concepts in the Bible; scripture often uses various words for happiness, blessed, gladness, and joy within the same context to represent a similar, overarching state of profound satisfaction and delight. When I look up joy in the dictionary, it defined as happiness and, similarly, happiness defined as joy. They are synonyms with overlapping meanings. I cannot find any passage from Scripture that suggests some contrast or even substantial difference between the two. Just as there are multiple synonyms in English, there are many words in Hebrew and Greek that describe the same thing.
For example, Paul says of God in Acts 14, “He did not leave himself without a witness, since he did what is good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons and satisfying your hearts with food and happiness.”
Some translations use gladness. Some say joy. The point is that God gives common grace to provide for all his creation – even the unbeliever! Being made in God’s image, an unbeliever can know happiness and joy. Unbelievers experience and celebrate the beauty of a sunset or any other thing in creation and those blessings and happiness are coming from the hand of God. That is all part of His common grace. It rains on the just and the unjust!
Second: My rationale for a broader and deeper definition of joy and happiness is because if the character of God is one of joy, and a fruit of the Holy Spirit is joy, then both words have to be more than emotions. More than a response. That God is joy means He is the ultimate source of perfect, everlasting gladness, rooted in His own infinite delight and love. God is not just a source of joy but he is the happiest being EVER! His joy is independent of circumstances and feelings. It is not a response. It is part of his nature, his character and his attributes. God’s joy overflows to humanity as a gift that provides strength and stability. For those who trust Christ, who have purposed to allow the fruit of His Spirit to ripen, then we can know spiritual joy and happiness! When we put the first things first, as CS Lewis suggested, and the first thing is really the first person – GOD – then everything else falls into place. We know the source of joy and happiness – Jesus!
Third: My definition of joy is also impacted by the term eudaimonia, which in the greek means good spirit, flourishing or living well. A life well lived is the ultimate goal according to Aristotle. Joy and happiness is a choice. It is not the goal of life but it is the result of a life lived well for the glory of God. It is the ultimate reality that Jesus offers when he said he wanted his joy to remain in us; the happiness/joy Jesus gives his people is participation in his own joy!
To be joyfully considered some more…