41 Bible Verses About Finding Happiness & Joy in Life

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We live in a society where everyone strives to find happiness.  It's as if life is looked at as a vacation and happiness is the ultimate destination

Thomas Jefferson once said, “Happiness is not being pained in body or troubled in mind.”   George Sand said, “There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.”  Truth is, everyone has a different perspective of what happiness looks like for them… but just because someone has a smile on their face doesn’t mean they are happy. 

That is why it is essential to “find joy in the simple things in life”   So, if happiness is about the destination; joy is more about the journey.

What is Happiness?

Happiness is considered an outward feeling based on temporary circumstances.  You can see the smile and excitement on a person's face as one experiences this feeling of happiness. 

For instance, when your favorite sports team wins the championship, there is true happiness.  They are running, jumping, hugging each other, and hollering at the top of their lungs in excitement. 

Those athletes are thrilled because of their circumstances.  They overcame many different teams and won the ultimate prize.  Hours of training early in the mornings, long practices throughout the day, and adhering to strict diets brought them to this moment of celebration. 

No one is pleased with second place.  The runner-up usually leaves the field or court of the competition after a loss with their heads hung down.  Because they did not reach the destination, they desired, even after making similar sacrifices as the winners. 

In their locker room, there are feelings and expressions of sadness.  Many are in tears, yelling out of frustration, and sitting with their heads sunk below their shoulders.  

Want a deep dive on happiness? Check out our detailed guide: What Makes People Happy: 54 Ideas on How to be Happy

To sum it up, happiness is based on circumstances.  When things are good, we are happy.  But, on the other hand, you are sad, frustrated, or upset when things are not so good. 

What is Joy?

Joy is a feeling of pleasure and enthusiasm, similar to happiness, but is not dependent on circumstances.  For example, when someone has a bad day or is grumpy, we say they got up on the wrong side of the bed.  It is as if they are upset for no reason.  On the contrary, joy is that feeling of elation for seemingly no reason. 

When you are joyful, you puzzle others in your life.  For example, two employees work at the same stressful job, for the same overbearing boss, and in poor working conditions with little pay.  One worker is miserable, and rightfully so, who wants to work for hours in that situation. 

However, the one who has joy seems to take their work in stride.  Many find joyful people confusing.  Because their joy is based on a person's inner peace, giving them peace in the middle of life’s storms. 

Lastly, joy is like a shield.  When a person is genuinely joyful within, the arrows of outside influence cannot easily penetrate their countenance and psyche. 

So as Christians, when we have the Lord as the source of our joy, we can find comfort, peace, and hope no matter the circumstances.  And to stay encouraged, there are many bible verses about happiness and joy in life.

41 Bible Verses about Finding Happiness & Joy in Life

1. Romans 12:10-12

“Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor; never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord; constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength],”

2. Philippians 4:4

“Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again, I will say, rejoice!”

3. 1st Thessalonians 5:16:18

“Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

4. Psalms 94:19

“When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comforts delight me.”

5. Psalms 118:24

“This [day in which God has saved me] is the day which the Lord has made;

Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

6. Psalms 9:2

“I will rejoice and exult in you; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”

7. Proverbs 17:22

“A happy heart is good medicine, and a joyful mind causes healing,

But a broken spirit dries up the bones.”

8. Psalms 149:4

“For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.”

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9. 1st Timothy 6:6

“But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment [that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God].”

10. Romans 12:15

“Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief].”

11. Hebrews 11:6

“But without faith, it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.”

12. Romans 15:32

“… so that by God’s will, I may come to you with joy and find rest in your company.”

13. Psalms 119:111

“I have taken Your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.”

14. Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such things, there is no law.”

15. John 15:11

“I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing.”

16. 2nd Corinthians 9:7

“Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].”

17. Proverbs 15:23

“A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer, and how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!”

18. Psalms 32:7

“You are my hiding place; You, Lord, protect me from trouble.  You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance.  Selah.”

19. 2nd Corinthians 12:10

“So, I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].”

20. John 16:24

“Until now, you have not asked [the Father] for anything in My name, but now ask and keep on asking, and you will receive, so that your joy may be full and complete.”

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21. Isaiah 61:10

“I will rejoice greatly in the LORD; my soul will exult in my God.  For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, he has covered me with a robe of righteousness. 

As a bridegroom puts on a turban, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

22. Habakkuk 3:17-18

“Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines,

Though the yield of the olive fails, and the fields produce no food,

Though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls,

Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation!”

23. 1st Timothy 6:17

“As for the rich in this present world, instruct them not to be conceited and arrogant, nor to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

24. 3rd John 1:4

“I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my [spiritual] children are living [their lives] in the truth.”

25. Psalms 119:14

“I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches.”

26. Nehemiah 8:10

“Then Ezra said to them, “Go [your way], eat the rich festival food, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord.  And do not be worried, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and your stronghold.”

27. 2nd Corinthians 6:4-10

“But we commend ourselves in every way as servants of God: in great endurance, in sufferings, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in sleepless nights, in hunger, in purity and sincerity, in knowledge and spiritual insight, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in [speaking] the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [like holding the sword to attack] and for the left [like holding the shield to defend], amid glory and dishonor; by evil report and good report; branded as deceivers and yet [vindicated as] truthful; as unknown [to the world], yet well-known [by God and His people]; as dying, yet we live; as punished, yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet bestowing riches on many; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.”

But we commend ourselves in every way as servants of God: in great endurance, in sufferings, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in sleepless nights, in hunger, in purity and sincerity, in knowledge and spiritual insight, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in [speaking] the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [like holding the sword to attack] and for the left [like holding the shield to defend], amid glory and dishonor; by evil report and good report; branded as deceivers and yet [vindicated as] truthful; as unknown [to the world], yet well-known [by God and His people]; as dying, yet we live; as punished, yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet bestowing riches on many; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.” – 2nd Corinthians 6:4-10

28. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

“I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good as long as they live; and also that every man should eat and drink and see and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.”

29. Ecclesiastes 7:14

“In the day of prosperity, be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider that God has made the one as well as the other, so that man will not find out anything that will be after him.”

30. Ecclesiastes 9:7

“Go your way, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart [if you are righteous, wise, and in the hands of God]; for God has already approved and accepted your works.”

31. Proverbs 23:15

“My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will also be glad;.”

32. Proverbs 12:20

“Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counselors of peace have joy.”

33. Luke 15:7

“I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.”

34. Psalms 19:8

“The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart.  The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”

35. Ecclesiastes 5:19

“Also, every man to whom God has given riches and possessions, He has also given the power and ability to enjoy them and to receive [this as] his [allotted] portion and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God [to him].”

36. Proverbs 10:28

“The hope of the righteous [those of honorable character and integrity] is joy, but the expectation of the wicked [those who oppose God and ignore His wisdom] comes to nothing.”

37. Proverbs 10:1

“A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish [stubborn] son [who refuses to learn] is a grief to his mother.”

38. Isaiah 12:3

“Therefore, with joy, you will draw water from the springs of salvation.”

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39. Psalms 37:4

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart.”

40. 2nd Chronicles 9:7

“Blessed and fortunate are your people; how blessed and fortunate are these servants of yours who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom!”

41. 1st Peter 4:13

“Blessed and fortunate are your people; how blessed and fortunate are these servants of yours who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom!” 

Final Thoughts on 41 Bible Verses About Finding Happiness & Joy in Life

In life, as much as we desire to find happiness, it will take us on a never-ending journey of cat and mouse.  We will obtain it due to our temporary circumstances… but because that success is short-lived, we are off and running, chasing that feeling of happiness all over again. 

However, we can learn to find joy in the journey in Christ.  Living in a state of thankfulness for where we are now while striving for better.  It causes us to wake up each day and celebrate the new opportunity presented to us. 

Moreover, there are several bible verses to keep us encouraged on the journey, no matter what area in life we help in:  from parenting , dealing with depression, and overcoming all types of discouragement.

Chasing happiness will send us on a rollercoaster of emotions based on our current circumstances and likely prevent us from chasing a future destination.  So, choose joy and find pleasure in the here and now, every step along the way.

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