Pleasure and Joy

While we often confuse pleasure and joy, the two are alike neither in origin nor effect but only in emotional residue. It is true that pleasure may accompany joy, although greater degrees of joy often appear in the midst of pain and not pleasure. So, joy is independent of pleasure. Likewise, pleasure is often experienced apart from joy. It evokes pleasent emotion but is unable to fill the hollow place where joy once was.
C.S. Lewis said that joy is never in our power but pleasure often is. The greatest difference between pleasure and joy is their respective origins. Pleasure can be manufactured while joy can only be received. I can easily find something to please my tastebuds and make me laugh. However, I can only wait to see if someone will bring joy into my existence. Joy is connected with grace. Pleasure is a product of self.
Once joy is experienced, it cannot be maintained by one's determination. Mark Twain said, "Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with." To preserve joy, it must be shared or given away. To keep life one must lose it first. No one can be greedy and joyful. However, pleasure is available to all selfish and proud people. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.