Joy is not the absence of sadness or hardship; joy comes in knowing that the hardest things in life are leading to our good.  Next, when we gather as God’s people heaven meets earth and the impossible can happen.  This reality has the power to produce joy as we look forward to worshipping with other believers—God gives us more of himself when we’re together.  Then Perry and Shawna riff on James 1:2-4:  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  And finally, what we choose as our spring of joy, will determine whether we experience lasting joy.

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