The idea that joy and happiness are synonyms can be radical to many readers. In response to a post I shared about happiness, a sincerely concerned person wrote me, “Joy, peace, and contentment do not equal happiness.” To some, the difference between the two words is as central as believing in the deity of Christ or the resurrection!

The happiness described in Scripture is all the richer because it doesn’t involve denial or pretense and can be experienced amid severe difficulty. Christ-followers don’t preach the flimsy kind of happiness that’s built on wishful thinking. Instead, our basis for happiness remains true—and sometimes becomes clearer—in suffering.

In 2019, Randy Alcorn was interviewed by NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins at Holland Christian School in Holland, Michigan on the subjects of Heaven, Happiness, and Giving. In this clip, he discusses finding true joy and happiness in God. 

La Joie de Donner, Chapter 2 (The Treasure Principle, Chapter 2)

La Joie de Donner, Chapter 1 (The Treasure Principle, Chapter 1)

La Joie de Donner, Introduction (The Treasure Principle, Introduction)

Recently, feeling a weight about Nanci’s fight with cancer, I also felt a great need to sense God’s presence and joy. The Lord led me to Psalm 100. When I read verse 2, which says “come before Him with joyful songs,” I realized I rarely sing to Him in my quiet time.

كراعي شاب لكنيسةٍ، كنتُ أعظ، كما لا يزال آخرون يعظون أيضًا، بهذه الكلمات: "إن الله يدعونا إلى القداسة، لا إلى السعادة".  دا هذا كله روحيًّا للغاية، وقد أمكنني أيضًا الاستشهاد بعدد لا يُحصى من الكُتَّاب والوعّاظ الذين يتفقون معي. لكنني الآن على قناعة بأننا كنا جميعًا مخطئين تمامًا.

Certainly first-century Christians experienced much heartbreak and persecution. But they also experienced happiness, celebration, and the abundant life in the midst of difficulty.