Today's 'Five Minute Friday' writing assignment is on 'joy'.
I think that 'joy' is often confused with 'happiness.'
'Joy' is 'the passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good'. 'Happiness' is 'the agreeable sensations which spring from the enjoyment of good.'
'Joy' comes before the good thing happens. 'Happiness' comes after.
Happiness is comparative. When a person is in pain, relief from that pain brings happiness. Happiness therefore admits indefinite degrees of increase in enjoyment or gratification. Perfect happiness is not attainable in this life, whereas joy comes from within and cannot be contained.
"... the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23).
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost" (Romans 15:13).
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (John 15:11).
~Rebecca
I think the same thing about confusing joy with happiness. I love how you said joy is what comes before something good, happiness comes after. Such a great point.
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