Joy is in the non-optional category of Gods design for our lives. Joy comes from the presence of God. The joy of the Lord is our strength. So many people have this picture of Jesus, a solemn, good-deed doing, sermon-preaching, pious, serious, somber guy. But do yourself a favor sometime. Go back and read the gospels with this thought in mind, "Jesus was the most joyful person who ever walked the face of the earth."