Question 1

What is joy?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 5:11Let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.Psalm 16:11You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.Psalm 33:12What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen for his own.Psalm 68:3Let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy.Psalm 144:15Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord.Proverbs 16:20Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.Romans 5:1-2Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.Romans 5:11So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.Galatians 5:22-23The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.Joy is the celebration of walking with God. It is an inner happiness that lasts despite the circumstances around us because it is based on a relationship with Jesus Christ. We have peace with God, and we realize how privileged we are to know Jesus as Savior, to have our sins forgiven, to be friends with God Almighty, and to be certain we will live forever with him. Joy is one of the important qualities we experience when we allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives.Isaiah 51:11Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.2 Corinthians 8:2They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.1 Peter 1:8You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.1 John 1:4We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.Real joy is everlasting, full, abundant, glorious, and inexpressible.

Question 2

Does God’s promise of joy mean we will always feel happy?

Accepted Answer

Philippians 4:4, 12Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! . . . I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.James 1:2When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.God does not promise continual happiness; in fact, the Bible assures us that we will have problems because of the kind of world we live in. But God does promise lasting joy for all who loyally follow him. This kind of joy stays with us despite our problems because we know God will help us through them and will one day take them away. We can have lasting joy even when we have temporary unhappiness. This is what it means to live with an eternal perspective.

Question 3

What is the source of joy?

Accepted Answer

Nehemiah 8:10Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”Zephaniah 3:17“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”Joy springs from God’s love, which is not dependent on circumstances or on our performance. When we realize the magnitude of God’s love for us, we are far less vulnerable to the depression and despair that come from problems and disappointments.Revelation 21:4“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”For those who believe in Jesus, joy is rooted in the certainty of eternal life, where we will be fully and finally liberated from the trials and troubles of life.Psalm 40:16May all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”Psalm 68:3Let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy.Psalm 86:4Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you.Psalm 146:5Joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.God himself is the wellspring of true joy. The more we love him, know him, walk with him, and become like him, the greater our joy. We will find lasting joy in heaven, but we can experience great joy now by walking with God.

Question 4

How can I become more joyful?

Accepted Answer

Hebrews 12:2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.We can become more joyful by keeping our eyes on Jesus. Following him leads to deep and lasting joy.Psalm 112:1Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.We can become more joyful by fearing God and trusting that what he calls us to in Scripture is true and best for us now. With this attitude, we will begin to delight in obeying his commands because obeying God will spare us from many unhappy and heart-wrenching experiences.Psalm 16:8-9I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.We can become more joyful by acknowledging God’s presence with us. As we pursue a closer relationship with God, we will experience the joy of seeing God work more actively in and through us.Galatians 5:22-23The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.The Holy Spirit produces joy in us. He guides and advises us to make decisions that will bring us greater joy.Psalm 119:2Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.Philippians 1:25Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.We can become more joyful by truly seeking God. He promises that when we do this we will find joy, even in life’s difficult circumstances.Matthew 25:21“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’”We can become more joyful by serving God well.

Question 5

How can I be joyful in hard times?

Accepted Answer

2 Corinthians 12:10That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.God uses our weaknesses, hardships, and limitations to accomplish much in his Kingdom. Where we are weakest, he will provide the greatest strength. That God would honor us by working through our limitations should bring us joy.1 Peter 4:12-13Don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.Difficult circumstances help us better understand what Jesus went through for us. Jesus suffered to give us the greatest gift of all—eternal life—so, we should joyfully suffer for him and faithfully proclaim his message despite the suffering it might cause. Suffering for Christ helps us appreciate his suffering for us.Romans 5:2Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.Hebrews 10:34You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.Hope in God’s promises of eternal life gives us joy because we know that the hardships we are experiencing now will end, but his love and presence will go on forever.Acts 5:41The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.When we suffer for our faith, we can be joyful because we know that God is working through us to accomplish his will and advance his Kingdom. We experience joy when we know that God is pleased with us and that our work for him will bring rewards in heaven.Psalm 69:32The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.Habakkuk 3:17-18Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!Philippians 3:1Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.Philippians 4:4Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!We can be joyful—always—regardless of our circumstances, by choosing to focus on who God is, his love for us, and his promises for the future.Psalm 31:7I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.Romans 8:35-39Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? . . . No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.Joy celebrates our friendship with God. Feelings and circumstances need not prevail. Even in times of trouble and anguish, we can experience joy because of God’s unfailing love for us.2 Corinthians 6:10Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.2 Corinthians 8:2They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.Even if we are poor according to the world’s standards, we can be joyful because we know of our spiritual riches in Christ.Jeremiah 29:11“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”Romans 12:12Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.James 5:11We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.We can be joyful during hard times because we can trust God’s sovereignty and his love.2 Corinthians 7:4-7God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!We can be joyful during hard times as God ministers to us through Christian friends.2 Corinthians 4:14-18We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. . . . That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.We can be joyful during hard times by remembering God’s promise of our future resurrection. This will help us look beyond the problems of daily life. This is not escapism or wishful thinking; it is a reality that fuels our joy by seeing life’s circumstances through an eternal perspective.Matthew 5:12“Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”Luke 6:23“When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.”Acts 5:41The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.Acts 16:23, 25They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. . . . Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.Philippians 2:17-18I [Paul] will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.Colossians 1:24I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.1 Thessalonians 1:6So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.Hebrews 10:34You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.1 Peter 3:14Even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.1 Peter 4:12-19Don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. . . . Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! . . . So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.We can be joyful during hard times by embracing a new perspective on persecution, suffering, and sacrifice, for through it we more fully identify with our suffering Savior.Psalm 94:12Joyful are those you discipline, Lord, those you teach with your instructions.Hebrews 12:11No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.We can be joyful in hard times by embracing a new perspective on God’s discipline, for through suffering, especially as consequences for our failures and sin, we learn to be his disciples.James 1:2When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.Hard times should remind us that we live in a fallen world full of futility and frustration, but also that we can turn to God who will never disappoint us. God promises lasting joy for all who believe in him. This kind of joy endures despite our problems.

Question 6

How can I more fully experience joy?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 22:26The poor will eat and be satisfied. All who seek the Lord will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.Psalm 40:16May all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”Psalm 70:4May all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “God is great!”Psalm 105:3Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord.To more fully experience joy, we should actively pursue God as the top priority of our lives. The more we know God, the Creator of joy, the more we will know joy!Psalm 28:7The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.Psalm 33:21In him [the Lord] our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.Psalm 34:5, 8Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. . . . Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!Psalm 40:4Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols.Romans 15:13I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.Philippians 1:25Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you1 Peter 1:8You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.To more fully experience joy, we need a growing faith and trust in God, which will allow us to experience joy in every situation. Joy overflows from the fullness of our faith and trust in the Lord.Psalm 19:8The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.Psalm 119:1-2, 14, 16, 24Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. . . . I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. . . . I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word. . . . Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.Psalm 119:55, 92, 111, 162, 165I reflect at night on who you are, O Lord; therefore, I obey your instructions. . . . If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery. . . . Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight. . . . I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure. . . . Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.Jeremiah 15:16When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.John 17:13“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.”To more fully experience joy, we should read, study, and follow God’s Word because it will keep us from situations that ruin our joy.Psalm 32:11So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!Psalm 40:8“I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”Psalm 97:11Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right.Proverbs 10:28The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.Proverbs 13:9The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.Proverbs 29:18When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.Luke 10:21At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.”John 13:17“Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.”John 15:10-11“When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”Romans 14:17The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.Galatians 5:22-23The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.1 Thessalonians 1:6So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.To more fully experience joy, we must live in obedience to God through the power of his Holy Spirit.2 Chronicles 29:30King Hezekiah and the officials ordered the Levites to praise the Lord with the psalms written by David and by Asaph the seer. So they offered joyous praise and bowed down in worship.Psalm 1:1Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.Isaiah 56:7I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations.Acts 2:46They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.2 Timothy 1:4I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.2 John 1:12I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete.To more fully experience joy, we spend quality time with other believers. God often encourages us through fellowship with one another.

Question 7

What brings God joy?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 18:19He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.Psalm 147:10-11He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.Jeremiah 33:8-9“I will cleanse them of their sins against me and forgive all their sins of rebellion. Then this city will bring me joy, glory, and honor before all the nations of the earth! The people of the world will see all the good I do for my people, and they will tremble with awe at the peace and prosperity I provide for them.”Zephaniah 3:17“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”Revelation 4:11“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”Revelation 21:3, 7I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. . . . All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.”God delights in having a relationship with his people.

Question 8

How can I be joyful when I have nothing materially?

Accepted Answer

Habakkuk 3:18Yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!Following Habakkuk’s example, we can find joy in who God is and what he has done for us, regardless of our circumstances—whether we are rich or poor.Proverbs 13:7Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor.Material riches can bring spiritual poverty. Material poverty can bring spiritual riches. We can have both types of riches, but we need to be careful if we are materially blessed, lest sour blessings become a curse.Matthew 6:19-21“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”What we treasure reveals the focus of our hearts. Those who focus on money and possessions can be miserable as they seek to protect what they have and accumulate more. This can steal joy and bring stress and worry. Often those with virtually no earthly goods are closer to God and the joy he gives, because they know personally the Source of their provision and their joy.