Frank Lloyd Wright built a house for industrialist Hibbard Johnson. https://bible.org/illustration/move-your-chair
In the Jewish Encyclopedia Kaufmann Kohler stated that no language has as many words for joy and rejoicing as does Hebrew. In the Old Testament there are 27 different words that are used primarily… for some aspect of joy or joyful participation in religious worship. Wünsche (“Die Freude in den Schriften des Alten Bundes,” 1896) states that no language possesses as many words for joy as does the Hebrew; which fact indicates the cheerful disposition of the Jewish people and the optimism predominant in Judaism (see Optimism).
https://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/8937-joy
“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11
“Be joyful always” 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Romans 12:12 says we should “Be joyful in hope…”
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
“The trouble with many men is that they have got just enough religion to make them miserable. If there is not joy in religion, you have got a leak in your religion.” – Billy Sunday – https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/billy_sunday_183037
https://www.etymonline.com/word/happenstance#etymonline_v_34000
“… if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36
James 1:2-4: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:12-13
“… the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.. Acts 16:22-24
Acts 16:25 tells us “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”
Galatians 5:22 “The fruit of the SPIRIT is… joy…” “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5:21
Ephesians 6:18 – Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Jude 1:20 – But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Romans 8:26-27 – Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Read More…)
1 Corinthians 14:15 – What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. – Hebrews 12:1-3
But Fanny Crosby had been blind since she had been a baby. When she was 8 years old she wrote this poem:
“O what a happy soul am I! Although I cannot see,
I am resolved that in this world contented I will be;
How many blessings I enjoy that other people don’t!
To weep and sigh because I’m blind, I cannot and I won’t.”
https://www.wholesomewords.org/poetry/crosby2.html