Joy can be labeled an emotion as well, but it is not reactive, at least not according to scripture. Joy is lasting and immutable in the Christian's life, not fleeting like happiness. In addition to being the second attribute of the fruit of the Spirit revealed in Galatians chapter 5, we are told in James 1:2 (kjv):

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations".

If you put two Christians together, they can usually find some miniscule issue to argue about, but when it comes to the subject of temptations or testing, I think all agree that this aspect of the Christian experience is not at all pleasant. I have never heard any of my fellow believers say "I am so glad that God allowed this adversity to come into my life".

The truth is that times of testing are not happy times. We accept them without complaint, because we know that the Lord is working in our lives and only good can come from it. Despite that assurance, the fact remains, we are not happy during times of testing. Happiness goes on hiatus, but joy remains.

Is this verse in James telling us to be happy during our testing? No, it is not. In fact, by encouraging us to be joyful through the testing, the verse actually acknowledges that testing makes us unhappy. The real message is that while we are unhappy due to the circumstances we find ourselves in, we can still have joy.

Happiness is dependent upon the circumstances of our lives. Joy is not. Joy is something we have irrespective of what happens in our life, good or bad. Happiness is something we project when we feel good. Joy comes from our relationship with Jesus Christ.

We have joy because of our reconciliation with God through his Son the Lord Jesus Christ. We have joy because of all the promises of God in Christ Jesus. We have joy because nothing can ever change our new relationship with God. Consequently, our joy is constant and unchanging.

We can be happy and joyful at the same time, but more importantly, when life's circumstances deal us a hard blow, we can be joyful though unhappy.

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