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Choose Joy: What It Means and Why It Matters in 2026
Choose joy.
Those two words have become a quiet mantra in my life—and the heartbeat behind my latest novel Half Agony, Half Hope: Dear Lily Edition, releasing today.
At first glance, choose joy might sound like a cheerful slogan or something you might see on a coffee mug or greeting card. But the truth is deeper than that.
Choosing joy is not about pretending life is easy.
It is about deciding that hardship will not have the final word.
And that idea sits at the center of the story I wrote.
What Does It Mean to Choose Joy?
To choose joy means making a deliberate decision to hold on to hope even when life feels uncertain, painful, or overwhelming.
Joy is different from happiness.
Happiness often depends on circumstances—good news, celebrations, or things going our way.
Joy is deeper.
Joy is the quiet strength that says:
Even here, even now, there is still something worth holding onto.
Sometimes choosing joy means:
believing healing is possible
trusting that love is stronger than fear
allowing hope to grow slowly after trauma
finding gratitude in small moments of peace
Choosing joy is not denial.
It is courage.
Why “Choose Joy” Became the Heart of Half Agony, Half Hope: Dear Lily Edition
In Half Agony, Half Hope: Dear Lily Edition, the story unfolds through letters a father writes to his daughter over many years.
Rick Wentworth writes those letters during unimaginable circumstances—times when hope feels fragile and the future uncertain.
Yet in those letters, one truth keeps returning.
Love is stronger than despair.
And healing is possible.
For Rick, choosing joy does not mean ignoring the pain he and Lily endured. Instead, it means refusing to let darkness define their story.
Joy becomes a choice he makes again and again:
when protecting his daughter
when rebuilding life after trauma
when believing that redemption is still possible
In many ways, the entire novel is a meditation on what it means to choose joy in the middle of suffering.
How Many Times Is Joy Mentioned in the Bible?
If the phrase choose joy resonates with you, it may not be surprising to learn that joy is one of the most repeated themes in Scripture.
Depending on the Bible translation, the word “joy” appears roughly 165 to 245 times in the Bible.
When related words like “rejoice,” “joyful,” and “gladness” are included, the total number grows to more than 400 references throughout Scripture.
That frequency reveals something important.
Joy is not treated in the Bible as a fleeting emotion or a moment of temporary happiness. Instead, it is presented as something deeper—an enduring spiritual posture rooted in faith.
Joy in the Old and New Testaments
The theme of joy appears throughout both halves of the Bible:
Old Testament: approximately 150+ references
New Testament: more than 60 references
Books like Psalms, Isaiah, and Philippians emphasize joy repeatedly as part of a life lived close to God.
One well-known verse appears in Nehemiah 8:10:
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
In the New Testament, joy is also described as one of the fruit of the Spirit:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” — Galatians 5:22
In other words, joy is not simply something we feel when circumstances are good.
It is something God grows within us.
5 Bible Verses About Choosing Joy
If joy is mentioned hundreds of times in Scripture, it is clear that the Bible sees joy as more than a passing emotion. Again and again, we are reminded that joy is something we can hold onto—even when life feels uncertain.
1. Nehemiah 8:10 — Joy Gives Us Strength
“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
This verse reminds us that joy is not weakness or denial of pain. Instead, it becomes a source of strength that carries us through difficult seasons.
2. Philippians 4:4 — Rejoice Always
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Paul wrote these words during hardship, yet he still encouraged believers to rejoice.
3. James 1:2 — Joy in Trials
“Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds.”
This verse reveals a deeper truth: even trials can produce growth, endurance, and faith.
4. Psalm 30:5 — Joy Comes in the Morning
“Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
This beloved verse reminds us that sorrow does not last forever.
5. Romans 15:13 — Joy That Comes from Hope
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.”
Here, joy is directly connected to hope and trust in God.
Why Choosing Joy Matters in 2026
We live in a world that often feels heavy with uncertainty.
News cycles move quickly.
Social media amplifies fear.
Life can feel overwhelming.
That is exactly why choosing joy matters.
To choose joy in 2026 is not about ignoring the difficult things happening around us. It is about refusing to let them define our hearts.
Joy anchors us.
It reminds us that beauty still exists:
in quiet conversations with someone who understands
in laughter shared with friends
in the steady love of family
in faith that God’s plans are still unfolding
Joy does not erase the difficult parts of life.
But it changes how we walk through them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing Joy
What does it mean to choose joy?
Choosing joy means intentionally focusing on hope, gratitude, and faith even during difficult circumstances. It is the decision to believe that hardship does not have the final word.
Why was “Choose Joy” written?
The phrase reflects the central message of Half Agony, Half Hope: Dear Lily Edition, a story about a father and daughter rebuilding their lives after trauma and discovering that hope is still possible.
Is choosing joy the same as ignoring pain?
No. Choosing joy does not mean pretending life is perfect. It means acknowledging pain while refusing to let it define your future.
Can joy exist alongside hardship?
Yes. In fact, the deepest joy often grows during life’s hardest seasons.
A Story About Choosing Joy
Today marks the release of Half Agony, Half Hope: Dear Lily Edition.
It is a story about:
a father and daughter
letters written across years of healing
memories lost and rediscovered
faith that survives even the darkest seasons
But at its heart, it is really about one simple decision.
Choosing joy.
Not because life is always easy.
But because hope is always worth believing in.
✨ Half Agony, Half Hope: Dear Lily Edition releases today — March 17.
If you love stories about family, redemption, and faith, this one was written for you.
And wherever life finds you today, remember this:
Joy is still possible.
Sometimes we simply have to choose it.
More to Read
- Half Agony, Half Hope: Dear Lily Edition (2026) — A New Novel About Hope, Faith, and a Father’s Love
- O Come All Ye Faithful (A Time to Rejoice and be Joyful)
- Don’t Let The World Steal Your Joy [My Experience Finding Joy being Disabled]
- Find DEFIANT JOY with Stasi Eldredge’s New Book
- Half Agony, Half Hope Author Interview – Joy Michelle Austin (2025)
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