Joy When Life Isn’t Joyful We throw the word joy around pretty casually. Coffee brings me joy. A good hair day brings me joy. Finding money in a coat pocket I haven’t worn since last winter brings me great joy. But biblical joy is something deeper. Happiness usually depends on what is happening around us. Joy depends on what we know to be true about God. And that is good news, because what is happening around us can change before lunch. One Facebook post, one unexpected bill, one aggravating person, or one red light when you are already late—and suddenly all that happiness you had at 8:00 a.m. has packed a bag and left town. Psalm 16:11 says: “In Your presence is fullness of joy.” That means real joy isn’t found in perfect circumstances. It is found in the presence of God. In John 15:11, Jesus said He wanted His joy to remain in us and for our joy to be full. Notice He didn’t say, “I hope everything goes your way.” He didn’t say, “May nobody annoy you today.” He didn’t even say...