These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11
Jesus came to give us joy. Jesus even speaks about complete, lasting joy in a world where so few things seem to last. Joy is related to gladness or happiness, but it goes beyond our emotion to a state of being. It is the result of a choice.
To be joyful you have to be intentional and embrace it. It is easy to be sullen. It can be easy to get irritated or annoyed, it is much more difficult to choose joy. But even if you go through very difficult times, you can still draw strength from the joy that comes with trusting God.
Lord, help me to be an ambassador of your joy. Give me the strength to radiate your joy in everyday life, even if the circumstances around me seem devastating.