The word joy is defined as an “emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune.” It is also defined as “something felt by the prospect of possessing what one desires.” Another definition says “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.”
However, joy is not the same as happiness. The emotion of happiness is short-lived because it is a feeling that ranges from bliss, contentment to intense pleasure. A less common emotion joy is stronger and more of a way of life. That brings us to a biblical saying and Bible verse that reads, “It is better to give rather than receive.” That verse is important because, joy is our experience when we realize selflessness to the point of personal sacrifice. We now understand that, to sacrifice and give of ourselves ultimately brings joy, happiness is our daily portion. A life of joy, gives the joyful an appearance of strength, peace, and hope that seems unshakable. Hope and joy go hand in hand. It brings us joy when we give another hope.
A twinkling of happiness is experienced when we go shopping to buy ourselves something new. Happiness is short-lived as is pleasure from addiction; each time we feel that intense pleasure, it takes more the next time for us to feel, and the time of enjoyment becomes briefer each time. So over time, we have an appearance of never being really happy. Always needing that next ever-growing fix, or more expensive thing.
Associated with joy is good cheer and vivacious happiness. When our joy is from God, we exemplify an inspired, deeply rooted happiness in its fuller spiritual sense. The God of hope fills us with peace and joy. The power of the Holy Spirit abounds us in hope and untroubled joy makes life worth living.
Romans 15:13 
13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
2 Chronicles 30:26
26 “So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.”
Job 5:16
16 “So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.”
Job 27:8
8” For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?”
Psalm 30:5
5 “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
1 John 4:18
18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”