Happiness vs. Joy

I read  this devotional about the difference between joy and happiness, and I couldn't have said it better myself!

This devotional also reminded me of a story...

The hymn "It Is Well with My Soul" is one of my very favorite hymns. And there is a history behind it that has always made me sort of want to cry.

It was written by a man named Horatio Spafford. Spafford wrote this well-known hymn during a very tragic period in his life.

In 1873, Spafford and his family planned to take a trip to England as a family holiday. Spafford was delayed because of business, so he sent his wife and four children ahead of him on a ship called, "Ville De Harve".  While this ship was crossing the Atlantic Ocean, it was hit by an iron sailing vessel, and 226 people lost their lives, including all of Spafford's four daughters. Only Spafford's wife survived.
Anna Spafford telegram-ed her husband when she arrived in England, beginning with, "Saved alone."

After receiving the telegram, Spafford then sailed to England to be with his wife. It is said that on that journey, he wrote "It Is Well with My Soul".

Here are the lyrics to this beautiful, very true, song:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul. 

(Refrain:)

It is well (it is well).
With my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul. 

Though Satan buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed his own blood for my soul.

(Refrain)

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought! 
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! 

(Refrain)

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pain shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

(Refrain)

And Lord, haste the day, when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

(Refrain)


Horatio Spafford had joy, even in the midst of the great loss he had suffered. Happiness is just a feeling that can disappear in an instant, but if you truly have joy in Christ, it will remain with you forever, no matter what storms you are facing in your life.