Happiness vs. Joy. A common topic among Christian circles. The general consensus seems to be that happiness, being a temporal state, is minor and is even sometimes cast in an highly unfavorable light.

Let's really examine the subject; let's talk....definitions.

Joy is, according to John MacArthur, "...the flag that flies on the castle of the heart when the King is in residence." Joy is the inner peace given only by the Holy Spirit; it is that Pauline strength and perseverance stemming from a knowledge of a heavenly rest and reward that enables a pair of prisoners thrown under the jail to sing hymns and praises to the King who grants them sweet release.

Happiness is an emotion. Beyond this, it's hard to describe without comparisons. Happiness is being given the greatest gift ever; happiness is, along with pride, when you watch your child excel at something. Happiness is the wedding of a dear friend. It's the knowledge that someone cares for you; it's winning and success; it's finally accomplishing a life-long goal; reaching your childhood dream.

Happiness isn't wrong, is it?

It can't be. Surely not!

I mean, David was intensely felicitous at the return of the Ark of the Covenant, right? Scripture says he danced with joy, but is it joy here or happiness?

It's both.

Joy at pleasing the High King of All, and reaping an eternal reward in the form of an eternity spent with Him.

Happiness at a triumphant success, at the exaltation of the Lord, and the vanquishing of enemies.

Okay, so that's both Joy and Happiness.
Let's look at another example.

Paul and Silas were viciously beaten, stripped of all they had, and thrown in the depths of prison; yet they sang praises to the Just Judge.

Joy. Sadness.
Joy, simply to be beaten for Christ's sake, to suffer for the truth and still remain firm in faith. To mimic Christ --- even if just in a small way --- in His suffering. To endure the pain and suffering and humiliation and separation from all they cared about, and still be solidly grounded in the True and Everlasting Rock.

Yet sadness; to suffer pain for what is right, to be beaten at the hands of harsh and unsympathetic soldiers, to be sentenced to the coldest, darkest, loneliest cell by unjust rulers, all for doing as their God commanded. To seemingly be punished for obedience.

Joy. Sorrow.
A "Dr. K-ism" rings true here; "tears in one eye, and joy in the other eye."

So joy is good! Joy in the Lord of Hosts is excellent and right and true.

But let's not downsize happiness; surely God gives times of peace.

Psalm 23;
"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters."
"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life."

God gives us rest, and He gives us celebration.

Take heart, oh Christians! Your times of peace, your times of festivities; these are not all dry pointless things aside from your "church life." If we honor our Master, he grants rest in His arms, for His yoke is easy, and His burden light.