The keyboard is horrible, the joystick will be a major improvement once you get used to it,
I found that the keyboard was quite clumsy and slow, whereas with the joystick the aircraft responds a lot faster and in the way you would expect. So in that respect, yes it probably does make the sim easier. Although it also could make it harder, the movements you make should be controlled and also quite small.
Plus the joystick is a lot more real than the keyboard, but if you want realism then a yoke and pedals is the next step.
Congratulations on your purchase and enjoy

- happy simming.