Joy

Galatians 5:22,23

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

The meaning of joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness is based on current circumstances and how they affect one's life and mood. Joy, on the other hand, refers to a sense of well-being that one can experience because he is in possession of salvation through Christ and also the promises of eternal glory and redemption through God. The promises of God last forever, never change, and the thought of them can cause a faithful believer to have an inward contentment and security even when all seems to be crumbling around him. When an unbeliever peers into a believer's life, he should be able to see a joyful, secure, and content follower of God even in the midst of financial problems, a harsh workplace, rejection, persecution, and so forth. Although a believer may not be happy when he faces various trials and may not understand the purpose behind them, he can let his salvation in Christ and the unwavering love of God bring a sense of joy and peace in the situations he faces. 

Always remember this truth, God allows fiery trials into a believer's life for the purpose of refining him, helping him to grow in trust and strength, and to become a believer who is mature in the faith, able to carry out the Lord's will. If you can think about the trials in your life with this perspective, you will be able to face them with joy and anticipation of becoming more like Christ while on this earth and also of your future glorification through Him in Heaven.

Colossians 1:11-14 

"May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."