Oops! I wrote Part 1 of this article about a month plus ago but then forgot to write Part 2. So, even though it is delayed, here is the second part of that topic.
In the previous post, I talked about happiness is the byproduct of healthiness – healthiness in all domains – physical, mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual. Today, however, I want to focus on “joy.” While some would use the words “happiness” and “joy” interchangeably, they really do have different components to them. While happiness is the byproduct of healthiness, joy is the byproduct of living in harmony with our Creator.
Author Timothy Jennings states, “God created humankind in His image and purposed that we should love others and use our abilities to build, develop, advance, discover, and invest our physical and mental energies in godly achievement.” He goes on to point out the joy parents experience when they bring a baby into the world, or when an artist or musician pour their passion into their work. Scientists experience joy when they make a new discovery.
While happiness is attached to our healthiness, joy is experienced when we fulfill our God given purpose – when we live out our lives the way He has wired each one of us. Happiness is nice but joy is often experienced as fulfillment and satisfaction. Joy runs deep in our souls. Typically, the more joy one experiences, the richer their lives are.