Joy can be found in surrendering to God's will and realizing that true fulfillment comes from Him.
In Scripture, joy is often noted as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, indicating that it is independent of external circumstances (Galatians 5:22). The Psalms encourage believers to seek their joy in the Lord, highlighting that true joy is not found in favorable conditions but in the relationship with God. In moments of suffering, like those experienced by David in Psalm 86, he demonstrates that asking God to 'gladden the soul' indicates that joy is discovered by looking to God for our sustenance and hope rather than our suffering. Ultimately, recognizing that our joy is hidden in our union with Christ helps believers to find contentment even in challenging times.
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