Cheerfulness, as a reflection of biblical joy, is not marked by laughter or hilarity but by a calm, positive, and upbeat attitude filled with hope. This cheerfulness does not originate from earthly or material sources, though material things hold value; its true source lies elsewhere. It is inseparable from godly love, meaning that without a genuine love for God, this joy cannot be attained. The quality of one's relationship with God determines the presence of this cheerfulness, enabling one to endure the horrific times we face. Despite sorrow and grief, as exemplified by Jesus Christ, Who was a man of sorrow yet possessed joy and peace, these qualities can coexist. Similarly, Paul and Peter experienced both deep sorrow and unspeakable joy, managing to navigate their difficult lives through this balance. Let us not cast away our cheerful confidence, for with God's help, we can press forward through these challenging times.

Greet it as pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter any sort of trial. In both the Old and New Testament, the words translated as joy mean gladness, cheerfulness, and calm delight. Joy, as a character trait tempered by fire, is more than a temporary feeling of high pleasure or a forced positive mental attitude; it is a deep, enduring state. Count your trials as joy, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience and aims to purge impurities, making us perfect and complete. Joy often comes after the trial, not before or during it, as a cheerful peace of mind and a satisfaction in having survived and grown. This calm delight is not an ecstatic emotion but an awareness of being pruned by God to become more like Him, fostering appreciation, thankfulness, and sympathy for others. Through perseverance and growth, we find joy in recognizing that each trial is specific to us, designed to shape us, and this understanding brings happiness in being chosen to endure whatever trials He may allow.

Joy, as a fruit of the Spirit, holds a significant place, listed second after love in Galatians 5:22, suggesting its high importance among virtues. Despite the troubling state of the world, which can dampen our spirits and make us feel distant from God, a lack of joy often stems from emotional struggles rather than immediate physical dangers. The constant influx of distressing news through modern media further challenges our ability to maintain cheerfulness, contributing to a societal craving for entertainment as a means to escape pain and disappointment. Biblically, joy is distinct from happiness and pleasure, defined as a calm cheerfulness or a God-given sense of satisfaction and well-being, regardless of life's difficulties. It does not arise from material or earthly sources, nor is it equivalent to laughter, which can sometimes stem from evil motives or others' suffering. Instead, this cheerfulness is a positive, hope-filled attitude inseparable from godly love, emerging directly from a relationship with God. The quality of this relationship determines our capacity to bear life's challenges with joy, even as we face the adversities of satan's world. God assures us that with His help, we can maintain our cheerful confidence and overcome the trials He permits.