It’s only in continually seeking his presence that we will discover the fullness of joy and pleasure meant to be our portion as his children. -- First15
If you are a believer and you don't know what this joy is, it might be because you are not seeking His presence continually.
That was me. At different times I was very intermittent. Sometimes Iong stretches would go by without really connecting with my Heavenly Father in an intimate way. I neglected His Word. There were years when I had one foot in and one foot out.
Joy doesn't really manifest much in that kind of relationship with God. It just doesn't, at least not for me.
Extreme pain and difficult circumstances is what it took to drive me more fully into relationship with the God who I professed to be my Lord, but whom I never fully gave my time, attention, and devotion to. I never fully gave Him the reigns of Lordship.
I had to be broken, and broken I was. But in finally, truly bending my knee, I found something--Someone--unshakable, unstoppable, that has become the anchor of my life. And joy is part of that package. A sense that He's got me, He's got the people I am believing for, and everything is going to be incredibly alright....exceedingly, abundantly alright!
I don't think it's completely necessary to go through something traumatic to experience a full relationship with Jesus that is marked by joy. You can do it intentionally, willfully---save yourself a lot of heartache! But for those mules in the bunch, let the ache of your soul lead you to the oasis that can only be found in Him.
Only in Him!