The greatest and most enduring joy comes from internal changes, which also make possible the greatest and most enduring external joy

Happiness is commonly denominated in circumstances beyond the control of the individual. As such, when those circumstances change unfavorably, the individual’s happiness is vanquished.¹ Any joy that comes through external circumstances can only endure as long as your external circumstances don’t change.

Happiness that lies beyond external reduction comes from internal refinement. Enduring increases in happiness come through improvements to your character.² There is no way to obtain greater and longer-lasting joy except through improving your character. As you improve who you are, you increase the proportion of your happiness that comes internally from what you do for the world rather than the external portion that comes from what you receive from the world. While this doesn’t mean you cease receiving good through and from external sources, it does mean that you increase your supply of joy that cannot be taken away by external changes because it is generated from within. Any person who can obtain and maintain a fullness of joy in spite of external circumstances will be immeasurably happier than anyone whose happiness comes because of external circumstances.

The happiness found in God cannot be diminished by what lies outside of the control of the individual, and as such, is the only kind that endures all things. There is no external circumstance that can generate the kind of joy that internal alignment with God can. Meanwhile, the greatest external sources of joy are only available to those who align their character with God, and to the extent they do.³ For example, when Jesus appeared to his followers on the American continent after his resurrection, he described feeling a fullness of joy that could not have been experienced except through his having perfectly lived as the Father would have during his mortal life.⁴

As one learns more about and lives more like Jesus, the depth of joy experienced and its independence from external circumstances increases. The Lord has overcome all things. An important part of this accomplishment is that he has attained joy that is beyond the power of anyone else to remove without his consent. Although the poor choices of his children cause God tremendous sorrow, no one can overcome his joy.

Happiness is a subjective construct. It comes from your sense of perceived value in what you are, have, experience, and give. The enduring nature of the Lord’s happiness comes from how he is and what he values. As you learn to value the character of God above all else, you will increasingly feel joy from your similarity to him, no matter the cost of achieving it, and no matter what others do or don’t do because of it.