What does the Bible say about... Joy?

JOY.

As followers of Christ, (and let's be real, human beings 🙃), 
we understand and can all agree that joy and happiness are not the same. 

Happiness is conditional and circumstantial. It's a feeling. 
Happiness usually depends on our happenings, and because of that, it's fleeting. 

Joy is something we are able to access at all times, regardless of what may or may not be happening. 
Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Joy is a gift 💙

In Greek, the word for joy is "chara." This is defined as an inner gladness; delight or rejoicing. A deep seated pleasure. It is a depth of assurance and confidence that ignites a cheerful heart. This inner gladness leads to a cheerful heart and a cheerful heart leads to cheerful behavior. 

Joy is ultimately an atmosphere of the heart. It's the deep-down sense of well-being that abides in the heart of the person who knows all is well. Even if it doesn't currently look that way. I believe this comes from abiding in Him (John 15:4).

How do you create and cultivate joy in your life? 
How do you hold on to it consistently and continuously? 
What do you do when you need to get your joy back? 
Let us know in the comments! 👇

Here is what the Bible has to say about joy:

Romans 12:12 
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Psalm 126:5
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! 

Romans 15:13 
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 51:12
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

James 1:2-3 
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.

Psalm 94:19
When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy.

Isaiah 35:10
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Psalm 16:11 
You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

Proverbs 15:23
A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Psalm 119:111 
Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.

John 15:11 
I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

1 Peter 1:8-9 
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Nehemiah 8:10b
...Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!

Romans 14:7
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 12:2
...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

John 16:22b
...but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

Matthew 25:11
His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”

Psalm 71:23 
My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to You; my soul also, which You have redeemed.

1 Thess 1:6 
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 7:4
I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy. 

Proverbs 12:20b 
....but those who promote peace have joy. 

Psalm 19:8
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

- Carly Lynn // @car1ylynn