JOY

It is a feeling of great pleasure, inner gladness, and delight. The word 'joy' in Scripture, refers to a sense of well-being due to being right with God. 

'Joy' is not to be confused with ''happiness'. 

Happiness is affected by what one 'has'; joy is affected by what one 'is'. Happiness comes through outside influences that stir up positive feelings, while joy leaps from within those who know Christ. Happiness is like the changing surface of the ocean, while joy is like the ocean bed ... unaffected by weather.

Joy is not something merited or earned, but a gift dispensed by the Holy Spirit ... The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance: against such, there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Joy faithfully stays with you even in the darkest of days. When sadness, grief, and loss threaten to overwhelm you, God’s joy remains.

I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you]. I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete to overflowing. John 15:9-11 

The joy of the Lord cannot be taken away. You might feel that it’s gone, but believers are promised that it abides still, even when you are going through the throes of sanctification ...

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward, it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 

Like salvation, 'joy' is a free and perfect gift. Choose it over bitterness, anger, and sorrow. Our Savior set the example ... 

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

All through the Word of God we see the persecution of the church and the hardship that Christians face. Now, in these unprecedented days of evil, the challenge is to learn how to see each trial as a joy.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

When you have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ ... 'joy' is yours for the claiming. The world will sit in wonder at the 'hope' within you.