We have joy. It is ours, forever. If we don't realize that, we have work to do.

We must desire to experience joy, accept it as part of our everyday lives, understand that joy is a quality of God, the source of all good and of ourselves as God's sons and daughters.

We must express joy, share it. If kept within ourselves, it is not really joy. We may say that love is wonderful, but until we truly love our fellowmen, we really haven't grasped the complete beauty of love. It's the same with joy.

Christian Science shows us how to experience joy. It teaches us joy's spiritual nature. It gives us the authority to express joy, and something to be joyful about.

When we are happy, our thoughts are not filled with pain, fear, disease, sorrow, death. They are overflowing with gratitude, hope, alertness. Christian Science doesn't ignore evil but denies it a place in consciousness, thus destroying it. This is healing. In the Bible we read, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." ^{Rom. 12:21;}

Since joy is a quality of God, true happiness has a spiritual foundation. Its source is not in an abundance of money or friends or bodily pleasures. "Happiness," writes Mrs. Eddy, "consists in being and in doing good; only what God gives, and what we give ourselves and others through His tenure, confers happiness: conscious worth satisfies the hungry heart, and nothing else can." ^{Message to The Mother Church for 1902, p. 17:}

Often, when confronted with disease, danger, misfortune, disappointment, we forget about joy and let grouchiness, fear, ill temper, pain, into our consciousness. This seems to be a natural response. Can we be expected to go through these trials and still retain our joy? We can as we understand our creator, God, and our true spiritual nature.

God, the one Principle of the universe, is and knows only good, including joy. That is His nature. He didn't create a single opposing thing—not a thought or feeling. God is all-encompassing Life and Love. He never relinquishes His care for us—never! Even when we think we are hurt, or have reason to be sorrowful or scared, God, the Principle of all, is still operating. Just believing He isn't does not change this eternal truth. When this fact is recognized, we won't be sad. We'll deny sadness and realize what we always have been—joyous children of God.

When earthquake, fire, flood, or war threaten us, we can affirm that joy is not dependent on external forces, nor influenced by them. Even in the midst of adversity our contact with God is unbroken. We can pray to follow His directing. Then we will find safety, because our experience will conform to our harmonious thought.

One delightful, early spring day I went hiking with a few friends at a wildlife refuge. We were all very happy. However, during the hike I noticed a rash on my arm. Instantly I decided that nothing would, or could, take away my joy. The rash was spreading to both arms. I refused to fear. I recognized and acknowledged that the ever-operable Principle, God, creator only of good, was in total control. I wondered, "Could I fear God's law, the only law there is?" That was ridiculous! I loved and trusted that law. I accepted no other. There wasn't a thing that could keep me from smiling, or from enjoying the day. No one was aware of the difficulty, and in a few hours I was completely healed. I proved that God was the source of my joy and health and these qualities don't alternate with sorrow and disease.

Joy has to be shared. Do you find it natural to smile? A smile can be a human expression of the Godlike qualities of love, sincerity, joy. I'm not referring to superficial smiles. Anyone can manage a smile for a picture. Nor do I mean a smile used as a cover for boredom at a party. An honest smile can radiate some healing thought. It happens naturally when we are filled with gratitude. It results from a genuine love for others and from sharing good with them. This kind of smile reflects our conscious unity with our Father-Mother God. Like a ray of brilliant, yet gentle, sunlight, it dispels gloom and fear. It is a way each one of us can improve our day, and our neighbor's.

When we are conscious of God, a smile comes easily. Everyone and everything we see is viewed as a manifestation of God. When others see us radiating joy, their thoughts in turn are uplifted. A smile effectively communicates love and joy for God and for our fellowmen.

Christ Jesus was acquainted with spiritual joy, and he saw to it that it found expression. "Son, be of good cheer," ^{Matt 9:2;} he told the palsied man before he healed him. Our Master left us an important legacy. "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." ^{John 15:11.} What are we doing with that inheritance?

Joy is eternal. Like God, it can't fade away. It is a quality we can cherish and impart constantly. Then we'll find all our days filled with joy. It is real to us. So smile, and mean it!