We cultivate joy

In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. (Psalm 33:21-22 NIV)

 Gratitude is related to joy. When we’re grateful for what God has done for us; when we’re focused on His goodness, love, and care, and are content with His blessings, then we have reason for joy. Being thankful for God’s love, blessings, presence, and promises helps us live in joy, with a positive attitude toward life.
 It’s not easy to rejoice in our sorrows. In fact, generally speaking, it’s not natural to be joyful and constantly rejoicing. Many of us want to cultivate a joyful spirit, but it’s not something we can do through our own power. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and to cultivate it, we must raise our sails so that the breath of the Spirit will move us in the direction of joy.
 One way to raise our sails is by reading, absorbing, and living the teachings of Scripture. As we read the Bible, God’s Spirit uses Scripture to speak to our heart to comfort and guide us, thereby giving us faith and hope, which are stepping stones to joy. We do what we can by abiding in God’s Word, and the Spirit moves within us to give us joy.
 We cultivate joy by putting our trust in God. —Peter Amsterdam [1]

 Be happy with what you have and are, be generous with both, and you won’t have to hunt for happiness.—William E. Gladstone (1809–1898)

[1] ] Activated More Like Jesus: Joy