2 Corinthians 8:2 (NIV) Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
James 1:2 (NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds. . .
Joy is distinctly a Christian word and a Christian thing. It is the reverse of happiness. Happiness is the result of what happens of an agreeable sort. Joy has its springs deep down inside. And that spring never runs dry, no matter what happens. Only Jesus gives that joy. He had joy, singing its music within, even under the shadow of the cross. Samuel Dickey Gordon (1859-1936) Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World.
