Joy a definition

Webster defines joy as: 1 a : the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : delight b : the expression or exhibition of such emotion : gaiety 2: a state of happiness or felicity : bliss 3 : a source or cause of delight But how does the bible define joy? Well we can look at the greek which states joy as : Strong's Concordance chara: joy, delight Original Word: χαρά, ᾶς, ἡ Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: chara Phonetic Spelling: (khar-ah') Short Definition: joy, gladness Definition: joy, gladness, a source of joy. Or we can look at how it is used in the bible. James 1:2-3 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Now here it shows us having joy in the midst of trouble. How is that possible? How can someone have joy in the midst of trouble? Well if you consider joy as being a " assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation" then it is possible to have joy even when in trouble. I can have joy even when in pain and discomfort, when sick or poor, when stressed or in doubt. I can have joy which requires faith in the ultimate goodness of God in all things. So what ever is going on in your life, no matter how bleak it looks find a way to praise God and have joy.