Joy

The word “joy” appears nearly two hundred times throughout Scripture. The Old Testament is filled with references to joy, from the psalmist who “shouts to God with cries of joy” to the prophet Isaiah describing eternity filled with “gladness and joy” (Ps. 47:1; Isa. 35:10). When we come to the New Testament, the Apostle Paul reminds believers that joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, a virtue present within Christian believers (Gal. 5:22). Joy is not to be confused with happiness, which is often based on favorable circumstances. True abiding joy is a feeling within believers of inner gladness, delight, or rejoicing, despite circumstances.