Joy

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The 1719 English hymn "Joy to the World" is a popular Christmas carol. It was written by the English minister and hymnist Isaac Watts.

Joy is a feeling of exuberant happiness experienced at a particular time. It is referenced frequently in the Old Testament such as (in Pentateuch)  :

Leviticus 23:40-41:

"...and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. You shall celebrate it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year."

As well as in:

Psalm 32:11:

"Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart".

Psalm 104:33:

"I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have any being."[1]

2 Samuel 6:14:

"And David danced before the LORD with all his might.."

and New Testament, most notably in Luke 2:10-11:

"When an angel appeared to shepherds in the Galilean countryside to announce the birth of a Savior, he said, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. It is considered by many Christians as a foretaste of heaven itself.

The confident expectation of Christian hope in the "sure and certain" knowledge of resurrection to eternal life in God, through the purchase of salvation by the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus Christ, is the cause of sustained joy in the midst of the temporary trials and griefs and disappointments of life (see Philippians 3:8-16; James 1:12; Hebrews chapters 12–13). Christian hope is rooted firmly in the joy of the assured and confident expectation of good guaranteed by the unbreakable promises of God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Bible and Christianity on joy

The Bible is the best-selling book of all time.[2]

Between 5 to 7 billion Bibles have been published.

Bible verses on joy

"For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." - Romans 14:7 (NRSV)

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." - Romans 15:13

Other Bible verses:

Christianity and articles/sermons on joy

Articles:

Videos/audio:

Key ways to cultivate joy

The half a glass of water helps illustrates of two different mental attitudes, optimism (half full) and pessimism (half empty)
  • Spiritual development/growth/maturity and spiritual practices such as Bible reading, prayer, church attendance, etc.
  • Character development. See: Virtue
  • Gratitude practice: Dedicate time each day to write down or mentally acknowledge things you are thankful for, big or small.
  • Mindfulness: Pay attention to the present moment and actively notice positive experiences in your daily life.
  • Meaningful activities: Pursue work, hobbies and interests that help others and bring you joy and happiness.
  • Acts of kindness/charity: Doing things to help others, like offering a compliment or volunteering.
  • Self-care routine: Incorporate activities that nourish your body and mind, like exercise, relaxation techniques, and healthy eating.

Articles

Psychology: Happiness vs. joy

The smiley, often called a Smiley face, is a symbol frequently used to express happiness.

See also: Happiness

According to Cynthia Vinney, PhD:

“Joy is a deep primary emotion individuals experience when they feel truly connected in relationships, are in alignment with their values, and/or have a sense of meaning and purpose,” Lindsey Rae Ackerman, LMFT, vice president of Clinical Services at Clear Behavioral Health, explains.

A complex emotion, joy signals pleasure but can also come with “a combination of grief and gratitude,” says Daniel Boscaljon, PhD, cofounder of Alchemy of Love. “Joy is the ability to affirm the goodness of life even in the midst of sorrow.”

Research has mixed definitions of happiness, but according to Ackerman, it's “an emotional state that can occur through momentary experiences and is often dependent on external factors such as an achievement or gaining material satisfaction.”

“Happiness often occurs spontaneously, in a moment arising through a convergence of time and place,” Boscaljon adds.

Joy and happiness may be synonyms, but they are different experiences. “The two are fairly distinct, according to most researchers,” says Matt Sosnowsky, LCSW, founder and director of Philadelphia Talk Therapy.

Happiness is temporary and ephemeral, whereas joy is more enduring.

Sosnowsky adds that happiness can come from things in a “here and now” state like eating an ice cream cone or spending meaningful time with a loved one. He explains that joy, in comparison, comes from a sustained internal and external relationship that creates fulfillment.2 Think of things like being a part of a community, raising a child, or engaging in a personal hobby you're passionate about.

“If happiness is the emotion we experience during lunch with a good friend, joy is the aggregate satisfaction we feel from all of our meaningful relationships,” Sosnowsky says.[3]

Scientific study of joy

See also: Emotions

Happiness vs. joy

Videos:

External links

See also

Beatific vision

Notes