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

Rejoice always
1 Thessalonians 5:16

What is Joy?

Joy is not the same thing as happiness.

Joy is a settled contentment that comes from God.

Bottom Line

The God of Joy is always present to you with joy.

"Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day."
‍— Henri Nouwen

How do we become joyful?

We need to take an indirect route to joy.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
John 15:9-11

"Joy is a response to having been united with what we love."
— Thomas Aquinas

"Joy is the foundational response to a God who creates in love."
— Geoff Holsclaw

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:35-39

How do we multiply joy together?

When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
Luke 2:57-58

Action Steps

1. Pray this prayer every morning this week (and throughout this series):
   Heavenly Father, I pray that this day I may live in your presence and please you more and more. Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you. Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
2. Create some space to reflect on one or all of the following questions:
   • Where are you tempted to fake joy with a smile?
   • How is Jesus inviting you to experience his love in your life?
   • How is God inviting you to share your joy with others?
   • How is God inviting you to share in the joy of others?