What is joy?

These things I have spoken to you; that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.  John 15:11
​ 
Christ promises us joy. There is a lot of confusion between joy and happiness. Therefore, when people are not happy, they think it is impossible to have joy. Joy is much more than happiness. Although a wonderful gift from God, happiness will always depend on forces outside of ourselves. Happiness is external. It is based on situations, events, people, places, things and thoughts. Happiness depends on what happens; joy depends on Jesus. Joy is knowing that God loves us, will take care of us, and has saved us through Jesus Christ.
​
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

Biblical joy is ours when we choose to respond to external circumstances with inner contentment and satisfaction because we know that God will use these experiences to accomplish His work in us.