Daily Bible study excerpts from my book: “Looking for Contentment in All the Wrong Places”
Think about the difference between joy and happiness.
According to Webster’s Dictionary
Joy is “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.”
Happiness is “a pleasurable or satisfying experience.”
Using these definitions, in your notebook list:
Things that make you happy
Things that give you joy and contentment
Happiness comes from temporary things, such as a vacation, pay day, chocolate or the words “machine wash, tumble dry”! Those things may be pleasurable experiences, but they don’t give lasting joy or satisfaction.
Joy comes from more lasting things such as becoming a Christian, a good marriage, the birth of children and grandchildren, faithful children, or friendship.
Joy is a state of mind.
Happiness is a passing feeling.
Joy is a quality, not simply an emotion.
“I feel happy” “I have joy”
Mark your Bible:
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Hi-lite the temporary things:
- :16 “outward man”
- :17 “affliction”
- :18 “things which are seen”, “things which are seen”
Hi-lite in a different color the eternal things:
- :16 “inward man”
- :17 “eternal weight of glory”
- :18 “things which are not seen”, “things which are not seen”
Circle “therefore”. To what does it refer? (circle “grace” in verse 15 and draw a line connecting the two words.
Put a box around “we do not lose heart”
Underline
- :16 “perishing” and draw a line connecting it to “outward man”
- :16 “renewed” and draw a line connecting it to “inward man”
Notice the two contrasting words in verse 17. “light” affliction and “weight” of glory.
Draw a line from “light affliction” to “but for a moment” and put a star at “but for a moment”
The troubles we face here do not compare to the eternal rewards we gain if we are faithful.
Circle the contrast word “but” in verse 18 – twice
Double underline
- :18 “we do not look at the things which are seen”
Joy in our heart can act as a calming agent in troublesome times. True Joy is deep, not giddy or silly. It is not here one day and gone the next, but constant. You may say…“I have days where I don’t feel happy.” Of course we all have days, sometimes weeks or months of troublesome times. We might have to endure ill health, aging parents, difficult children, financial troubles or other woes in this world. During those times, we may not be happy, but we can have joy.
We can gain strength from the joy of the Lord. After reading the Law to all the people, this is what Nehemiah said to them.
Nehemiah 8:10
Underline “eat the fat, drink the sweet” write in your margin “enjoy God’s goodness”
In order to have joy in our lives, we must give as well as take, “send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared”
Put brackets around “do not sorrow” – that is a command!
Hi-Lite “the joy of the Lord is your strength”
“Christian Joy is no mere gaiety that knows no gloom, but is the result of the triumph of faith over adverse and trying circumstances, which instead of hindering, actually enhance it” – the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
What kind of trying or tough circumstances have you gone through in your life?
Were you happy during those times?
Is it reasonable to expect to be “happy” all of the time? Why not?
Is it possible to have joy during the “tough times”? How?
Psalm 30:5
Circle the contrast word “but” and consider what is being contrasted.
Hi-Lite “favor” and “joy”
Underline “for life” and “in the morning” Draw a line connecting “favor” and “for life, then “joy” and “in the morning”
Put a box around “anger” and draw a line to “for a moment”, Put a box around “weeping” and draw a line to “for a night”
Our troubles always seem to be amplified and worse in the night. In the morning, usually we can put these troubles in perspective.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
Double Underline:
- :1 “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven”
Circle the words “season” and purpose”
Hi-lite the positive or happy ideas in one color and Hi-lite the negative or unhappy ideas in another color.
To put our “troubles” in perspective consider
Hebrews 12:3-4
Hi-Lite “consider” and “lest you become weary and discouraged”
Underline “Him who endured such hostility” put a heart above “Him” and write “Jesus”
Circle ‘You have not yet resisted to bloodshed”
When we are ‘chasatened” – disciplined, what does the Hebrews writer say about joy in the present?
Hebrews 12:11
Circle the time word “now” – when it happens.
Circle the contrast word “but” – What is contrasted?
Circle the word “nevertheless’ – means in spite of the fact that chastening can be painful
What do we gain from discipline?
Hi-lite “yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness’, “trained by it”
Can pain ever be a good thing? What are some reasons for pain in your physical body?
Pain helps you know what is wrong and needs to be “fixed”.
Consider the following statement,
Pain is inevitable, but Misery is optional
Why is pain inevitable?
Ultimately, who was the cause of pain in the world? (see Gen 3:4)
If pain originates with Satan, where does Joy come from?
Joy comes from a firm faith and a close relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Together, you can face anything that comes your way.
In our next lesson we will discover “Where Joy Comes From”