The Importance of Joy -
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The ultimate reward given to a faithful servant is joy with Christ (Matthew 25:23). The joy of relationship with God is our reward (Genesis 15:1).
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All creation will glorify God in the end. Even unbelievers will glory God (Habakkuk 2:14, Philippians 2:9-11). What makes the believer's relationship to God unique is that we will be able to enter into His joy and enjoy relationship with Him.
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This joy of relationship is the ultimate goal (John 15:11).
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The joy of relationship with God today helps us to do everything well.
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Joy gives us endurance through hardships and persecutions (Hebrews 12:2, Acts 20:24).
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Joy is part of what's needed for our service to be acceptable to God and for people to approve of us (Romans 14:17-18).
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Joy brings strength to obey God (Nehemiah 8:1-17). People who stay in the grief of guilt because of their past disobedience will not have power to obey in the future.
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Joy in our suffering allows us to bring joy to others in their suffering (2 Corinthians 7:4, 1:4).
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Joy in our suffering is a great example to others (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7).
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Joy is contagious—it brings greater joy to others when we are joyful (2 Corinthians 2:3, 7:13).
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The joy of thankfulness is needed in order to excel in growing spiritually (Colossians 2:7).
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Joy part of what's needed to keep us hopeful at all times (Romans 15:13).
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Joy is a result of your belief in Jesus. Therefore, the level of your joy shows the level of your faith (1 Peter 1:8).
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Do not read and obey the Word because you feel like you have to. Do it out of the joy of knowing God—being closer to the Father, the Son, and the Spirit (1 John 1:4, John 17:3).
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As long as you try to give your time and works to God grudgingly, out of necessity or obligation, you will be weak (Romans 7:5-6, 2 Corinthians 3:6-7, Galatians 5:4).
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Greater love is experienced by a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). So give yourself, your time, and your works to God with a cheerful heart!
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Our greatest joy in Christ will come from these two things:
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Knowing our salvation—that we've been saved from God's wrath (Luke 10:20, Romans 5:11)
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Seeing loved ones obeying God (3 John 1:3-4).
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If you continually remind yourself of your salvation, and if you work to help others be obedient to God, you will have great joy! In this great joy you will be able to serve God faithfully!
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In the end, your faithful service will be rewarded with entering the unimaginably greater joy of Christ in the kingdom of God forever.
How to quickly find joy during painful or difficult situations:
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Learn to find your joy in the Spirit, Christ, and your eternal reward and reconciliation with God (Romans 14:17, Galatians 5:22, Romans 5:11, 1 Peter 1:4-7, Hebrews 10:34).
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Understand the good that tribulation produces—patience, character, hope, and perfected faith (James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-4). Value what will be produced through hardships.
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Find reason to rejoice in the fact that Christ is preached, and that God will use even hard circumstances to create opportunity for the gospel to spread (Philippians 1:12-18).
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In times of hardship, winning people to Christ and hearing of these testimonies brings joy. The disciples of Acts, who were harshly persecuted, found joy in this (Acts 15:3).
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Deny yourself; give up self-centered thinking. When you deny yourself, it lightens the self-concern over the hardships you're facing and allows you to run with joy. Self-centered people struggle when self is threatened (Acts 20:23-24).
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As belief is strengthened, you will be filled with more joy and peace. So grow your belief and your joy will grow also (Romans 15:13).
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Knowing that the will of God is always done and that He is always in control adds joy to your life, having confidence that He works all things together for good (Romans 8:28, 15:32).
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Spend time around like-minded people who have greater joy or who can share good news about loved ones with you. Their joy will help yours (2 Corinthians 2:3, 7:4-7,13, Colossians 2:5).
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Selflessly serving others and laying down your life for them brings joy, for there is great joy in love. Loving others and seeing their edification becomes joy to you. Winning souls and making disciples adds joy to your life (Philippians 2:17-18, 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, 3:9-10, 3 John 1:3-4, 2 Timothy 1:4-5, Luke 15:7).
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Learn to be content with what you have (even to the simple blessings of life), and thus to enjoy what God has given you. This adds joy. (1 Timothy 6:6-8,17).
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Consider how Jesus was able to have joy through what He endured, and this will be an exampleto you for how you can have joy (Hebrews 12:2).
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Knowing the Word adds joy, making it full, as your understanding of God grows (1 John 1:3-4).