The difference between happiness and joy

A faculty chapel message from Mr. Wallace, Math & Physics Teacher

Good morning! It’s so nice to see you all here. Thank you families for coming out. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Mr. Wallace, the math teacher, and I’m also the Junior class sponsor this year. Thank you to the Juniors who have helped with today’s chapel. And thank you so much to Mrs. Barber for organizing this chapel, and all of our Wednesday chapels for that matter.

It took me until late high school to learn that there’s a difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is what you feel when you do well on a test, or it’s a snow day, or someone shares their chips with you. Happiness is great! It’s a beautiful feeling.

But joy is a much deeper emotion. You don’t have to know the difference, you can feel it. Joy is what you feel when you’re with your loved ones. It’s what you feel when you have this sense that all is right with the world, at least for now. As an example, for me, my biggest source of joy is my daughter. 

And to me, joy feels inexhaustible. It’s a never-ending wellspring. You might not be in touch with it sometimes — you might need a reminder to find it — but it’s there. I think that’s part of what is meant by the Lord’s joy. 

Nehemiah said “Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength.” I love that because I think it has several different meanings that teach me. Of course it’s telling us that God’s joy is a source of strength for all of us. The Lord is joyful in us, and that joy lifts us, carries us, makes us strong. 

But I also think it tells us that when we have joy in the Lord—when we can find joy in each day, with our loved ones, in each moment—that is a source of strength. And that is also true, in my experience. Think about those times in your life when you have felt really, deeply, good — truly joyful. Nothing could shake you, in those moments, right?

One more: Nehemiah 8:10 still has more to say. I also read it as God rejoices in our strength. Do not grieve, for you are strong. Your strength gives God joy. Zephaniah 3:17: “The Lord rejoices over you with singing.” You and your strength give God joy. 

Mrs. Barber reminded me that Immanuel, the prophetic title for the messiah, means “God with us.” God is with us now, and all the time. The Lord’s joy is always there. That source of strength for you is always there. This is a cause for hope.

A school is a place of hope. I don’t mean ‘hope’ as in, “We hope you will do well in life,” although that’s true too. I mean ‘hope’ as in we trust that you will do well. We, the teachers and the staff, are here because we believe in you, the students. We have high confidence that when you’re given opportunities and the right tools, you can achieve amazing heights. In this way, I think teaching is an expression of profound faith: faith in the human spirit, faith in the minds of our students, and faith in the inherent power, goodness, and Godliness in each of you.

That’s all from me. Thank you, and Merry Christmas!

“Teaching is an expression of profound faith: faith in the human spirit, faith in the minds of our students, and faith in the inherent power, goodness, and Godliness in each of you.”

Sam Wallace, Math & Physics Teacher