When life is going well, it’s easy to feel happy, fulfilled, and satisfied.

But then, the storms come. Worry, frustration, and discouragement set in. Before you know it, any fleeting sense of happiness is drowned in the realities of our broken world.

Can joy survive the most difficult moments of our lives?

The Bible’s definition of joy is different than ours. In Scripture, we see that true joy does not mean happiness or satisfaction. In addition, our joy is not connected to any person, possession, or circumstance here on earth. While those things will always fail us, God promises to fill us with joy, peace, and hope that will only increase, regardless of our circumstances (Romans 15:13).

This promise is fulfilled in God’s offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. When we put our trust in Christ, we find eternal hope for the future. Scripture tells us that our sins are covered by Christ’s blood, and that our souls are secure in him—no matter what we face in our lives. When we live with the confidence of Christ’s victory over sin, suffering, and death, we experience joy that can’t be dimmed by the darkness of the challenges we face.

This joy is for you, too! Through the Bible, God reveals his promises so that your joy may be complete in Jesus Christ (John 15:11).

Here are six Bible verses that can help you rejoice in God.

We only find eternal joy through a relationship with God.

You will show me the path that leads to life;
your presence fills me with joy
and brings me pleasure forever.

Psalm 16:11 GNT

Our faith in Christ leads us to rejoicing.

You love him, although you have not seen him, and you believe in him, although you do not now see him. So you rejoice with a great and glorious joy which words cannot express, because you are receiving the salvation of your souls, which is the purpose of your faith in him.

1 Peter 1:8-9 GNT

Joy is a gift from the Holy Spirit.

But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these.

Galatians 5:22-23 GNT

Despite our circumstances, we can experience and express joy each day thanks to God’s promises.

This is the day of the Lord’s victory;
let us be happy, let us celebrate!

Psalm 118:24 GNT

Joy is a cornerstone of God’s kingdom.

For God’s Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives.

Romans 14:17 GNT

We find our joy in our union with God, who never changes.

May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice!

Philippians 4:4 GNT