As we usher in the new year, many of us have written a list of resolutions for 2024. These resolutions are often about self-improvement: exercising more, improving our diet, optimizing sleep patterns, balancing work and relaxation, and dedicating more time to family. These aspirations, while commendable and certainly beneficial, tend to skirt around an underlying pursuit common to us all: the quest for happiness. But let’s pause and consider: are we truly seeking happiness, or is it the deeper, more enduring state of joy that we crave?
Happiness and joy, while frequently used interchangeably, harbor distinct meanings and implications in our lives. Understanding and acknowledging this difference could be the most transformative resolution we make this year.
Happiness is a universal pursuit. Our society relentlessly quests for it, as evidenced by countless self-help articles promising paths to happiness and the American Declaration of Independence, which enshrines the right to its pursuit.
Yet happiness, often triggered by external events like acquiring a new car or receiving a promotion, is fleeting. It ebbs and flows with life’s inevitable ups and downs. Joy, in contrast, is an enduring state, unfazed by external circumstances. It is an “internal” constant, not a transient emotion.
What differentiates joy from happiness? Its divine origin. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22, and is a result of God’s transformative work within us, guiding us to fulfill His noble purposes (Philippians 2:13).
The genesis of our joy is grace — the unmerited favor granted to us through Jesus Christ. Without God’s grace, we are all subject to divine judgment, having transgressed His laws. Despite our flaws and failings, God’s love was so profound that He offered Jesus to bear the penalty we deserve, bestowing upon us not judgment, but forgiveness — the essence of grace.
The sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf is pivotal. It signifies our redemption, the gift of a new life, and the establishment of a personal relationship with our Creator. This is the core of the Gospel, and as Apostle Paul proclaims, if God is for us, no one can stand against us (Romans 8:31). The unwavering truth of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection is the bedrock of our inexhaustible joy.
Thus, the question arises: Are we pursuing fleeting happiness or are we resting in the enduring joy provided by our faith? Our answer to this question can profoundly shape our perspective on life’s journey.
Mark W. Koch is an Author, inspirational speaker and Hollywood Film Producer. To order a Free Copy of, “The First Hour” for Men 30-Day Journey, Visit www.thefirsthour.com and use promo code NCF
