How do you learn to rejoice every day no matter the circumstances?
What is a real joy, not just an ordinary smile? We’ve gathered 11 quotes about joy and why we need to learn it.
“Always be joyful! Nothing good can be done from inner exertion, but from joy, anything can be accomplished.”
Seraphim of Sarov (1754 – 1833), hieromonk of the Sarov monastery, founder and patron of the Diveyevo women’s monastery. A great ascetic of the Russian Church and one of the most revered monks in its history.
“God loves to smile!”
Elizabeth Johnson (born 1941), American theologian, author, and professor of theology at Fordham University in New York.
“Smile at each other, smile at your wife, smile at your husband, and your children-no matter to whom you smile-it will help you to imbue more love for people.”
Mother Teresa (1910 – 1997), Catholic nun, founder of the Sisters of the Missionaries of Love, Nobel Peace Prize laureate (1979).
“When is it easy and joyful to live? When there is nothing in the heart but God. When is living hard and painful? When you have everything and God is not there.”
Simeon of Athos (1866 – 1938), a monk of the Constantinople Patriarchate of Russian origin.
“The cause of joy usually lies not so much in the nature of circumstances as in the mind of men.”
John Chrysostom (347 – 407), Archbishop of Constantinople, theologian, is revered as one of the three Ecumenical saints and teachers.
“God does not simply take away sorrow and give joy in its place; He turns that sorrow itself into joy.”
Charles Spurgeon (1834 – 1892), English preacher and theologian, pastor of the largest Baptist Church in England.
“Yes, we try in various ways to find peace of mind, but we fail. Only in Christ can we find peace. The peace that is permanent, full of joy and contentment.”
Henry Brandt (1916 – 2008), international consultant, teacher, author, and speaker.
“Joy is not a flood of feelings, it is not even cheerfulness. Joy is the full assurance of God’s will because the heart finds pleasure in communion with God.”
Billy Graham (1918 – 2018), American religious and social activist, pastor of the Baptist Church. Member of the largest Baptist association in the world, the Southern Baptist Convention.
“The most joyful message for us is that human happiness and God’s holiness are not mutually exclusive realities.”
John Piper (born 1946), Christian preacher and book author and former pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minn.
“If the thought of complete deliverance from sin gives joy and pleasure to a man, it is a characteristic sign of a spiritual mind.”
John Owen (1616 – 1683), the greatest reformer of the seventeenth century, “Prince of the Puritans,” doctor of theology, pastor.
“God wants the Christian’s life to be a joy, not a torment. The notion that holiness is associated with the sullenness of temper is the worst parody of reality. In fact, the opposite is true–only those who walk the path of holiness know true joy.”
Jerry Bridges (1929 – 2016), Bible teacher, author. He is considered a recognized classic of Protestant literature.
