Joy and Happiness

Joy and happiness…our soul craves it just as our body grasps for air when we are under water. Necessary for our existence, in joy and happiness we find hope. Culture tells us to do whatever makes us happy. The word of God, on the other hand, says to seek God first and the rest will be heaped upon us after then. Sometimes the pursuit of happiness is quite different than we imagine.

Open Your Bible

These verses and any linked articles/stories are intended to help jumpstart you in your own studies. MOST VERSES ARE BEST UNDERSTOOD WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE WHOLE LETTER in which it was written. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to have your own bible and take the time to read, study, and allow Holy Spirit to give you revelation. no one or any resource can replace one-on-one time with the king.


Bible versions used will vary and some may be paraphrased. Emphasis is mine.
We suggest using BibleGateway.com to look up verses in your favorite translation.

3 JOHN 2 [NASB] Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

JAMES 1:2 [TPT] My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can!

JAMES 1:12 [TPT] True happiness comes as you pass the test with faith, and receive the victorious crown of life promised to every lover of God!

PSALM 116:7-8 [NASB]Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. For Thous hast rescued my soul from death.

PSALM 23: 2-3 [TPT] [Adonai] offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss. That’s where he restores and revives my life (lit. “He causes my soul to return“.)

Scripture quotations marked (AMP) are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; Scripture quotations marked (AMPCE) are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.; Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org; Scripture taken from the Modern English Version (MEV). Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Used by permission. All rights reserved.; Scripture quotations marked TPT are from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017, 2018, 2020 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ThePassionTranslation.com; Scriptures marked CJB are taken from the COMPLETE JEWISH BIBLE (CJB): Scripture taken from the COMPLETE JEWISH BIBLE, copyright© 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. www.messianicjewish.net/ jntp. Distributed by Messianic Jewish Resources Int’l. www.messianicjewish.net. All rights reserved. Used by permission; Scriptures marked NLT are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION (NLT): Scriptures taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION, Copyright©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission; Scriptures marked ESV are taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV): Scriptures taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ®Copyright© 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission; Scripture quotations marked (GNV) are taken from the Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press.