The WORD unleashed

We experience two different feelings or emotions that are in many ways alike; joy and being happy. Both these have a lot in common, they fill the heart with a contented, hopeful, optimistic feelings; but one is fleeting and the other is permanent. Happiness, many times comes from without, and joy comes from within; from the heart and soul of man. You can get a new car, or boat or anything else mateial and it will make you happy and give you feelings of elation; but when the new wears off - it's the same old, same old once again. You can never attain enough to give you deep down joy.
Joy is different in that it lodged deep in the soul and it takes nothing of this world to keep it. You may find yourself weeping, but still have joy in your heart - you may find yourself grieving, but still have joy deep down in your heart. Joy is a state of being, happiness is just an feeling of elation for a moment.

How can a person attain this type of joy in their life - God gives us the solution in Galatians 5:22-24Gal 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  KJV. Joy is a spiritual thing that can't be attained through worldly means. It is one of the fruits of living a spiritual lifestyle - making things right with our creator, Jehovah God; and then living a righteous lifestyle. There is no other way to attain it; or at least attain it to the point that it will last for a lifetime. Joy comes through being just and righteous. Only these can give a person that contented, hopeful, optimistic outlook in life that changes their character from -- Good God ! it's another long day to .....  Good moring God, what a beautiful day. That is a difference that people will notice, that's a difference that will help people, and that's a difference that will rub off on every body around you.