What precipitates real joy in a believer?
Real joy is precipitated by the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer and by what God has done on their behalf. It flows from within, grounded in eternal life and the promises God has prepared, so it remains even when circumstances are hard. Happiness, by contrast, depends on favorable outward conditions.
Les teaches that joy is that which comes from within as a result of the Holy Spirit indwelling us, as a result of what God has done on our behalf. Believers have joy unspeakable because regardless of what may happen to them in this life, they have life eternal and the promises of all things God has prepared. That is what precipitates real joy. Happiness, on the other hand, is the result of circumstances—health, paid bills, money in the bank, a decent car, a nice home. Those things are only circumstantial and have nothing to do with the inner life. So whether you have money in the bank or are in trial and tribulations, you can still have joy, but you won't be happy.