The Fruit of the Spirit Part 3 Joy and peace:

When I began the study of this passage I thought that “love” would be the most difficult to understand and explain, but what I found was that joy is the one that gave me the most difficulty. I believe that this is because I had considered “joy” to be an emotion instead of a state of being.  “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,” (James 1:2). The only way that one could “consider it all joy” is if the primary application of joy was not emotional. That is not to say that the emotion of joy will not follow the consideration of joy, but joy is not tied to circumstances. Joy is tied to our relationship with Christ.
With a correct relationship to Christ we can find joy in Gods natural revelation. Matthew 2:10. We can find joy in Gods supernatural revelation, and by that I mean the Bible. Luke 2:10. Joy can be a result of faithful service. Matthew 25:21. Sorrow can be turned into joy. John 16:20. Joy can come from the growth of others. Philippians 1:25.
These are but a few examples concerning joy and in each we can see that there is an emotional aspect but that is a result of joy not the cause of joy.

"“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34, NASB95)
"“Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division;" (Luke 12:51, NASB95)
"“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (John 14:27, NASB95)

Peace is not the absence of war; it is the absence of the threat of war. This statement is also true in our Christian lives. Peace is not the absence of struggle; it is the absence of the threat that comes from struggle. Peace is the confidence that no matter what we are going through God is in control. In Romans 15:13 we see that God’s joy and peace work together in us in order that we may have hope. Note that both are a provision from God by the means of the Holy Spirit. Hope is not a wishing that something were true it is having a confidence in God and his ability to bring us through. "for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day." (2 Timothy 1:12b, NASB95)