When I first began looking for how to have joy in the midst of struggles, I found lots of references to joy in suffering though I didn’t find exactly how we were to do that. I felt at this point in the series, I’d share some of what I found. I think it helps us to know that others found joy in the midst of suffering, struggles, and trials. And it helps to read the words that share that joy in the scriptures.
I found a reference that said there are 132 references to rejoicing in the Bible, but I found a few that were most relevant to us here. So this is just a collection of scriptures that share about joy in the midst of trials:
“And not only this, but we glory in afflictions also, knowing that afflictions work out patience,” -Romans 5:3
“rejoicing in hope, patient in affliction, steadfastly continuing in prayer,” -Romans 12:12
“Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for your reward in Heaven is great. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” -Matthew 5:12
“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. For behold, your reward is great in Heaven. For so their fathers did according to these things to the prophets.” -Luke 6:23
“Then indeed they departed from the presence of the sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be shamed for His name.” -Acts 5:41
“as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.” -2 Corinthians 6:10
“who now rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf, and I fill up the things lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, on behalf of His body, which is the church;” -Colossians 1:24
“For you both sympathized with my bonds and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that you have in Heaven a better and an enduring substance.” -Hebrews 10:34