Philippians 4:4 (NKJV) "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"
When we read that we should "rejoice in the Lord always," do we understand that we should rejoice even during difficult times? Every trial is temporary, but the joy of the Lord is always available to us. The apostle Paul, the author of Philippians, suffered persecution and imprisonment because he preached the gospel to hostile first-century listeners. Paul wrote this epistle, or letter, to encourage members of the early church at Philippi. Note that Paul did not write the words "be happy always." When he wrote this verse, he understood that it is not possible for a human being to be happy at all times. He wanted his readers, members of the church at Philippi, to rest in the joy that comes from the Lord, and not from the world, or other peoples' opinions. Paul encouraged the Philippians to "rejoice" not in worldly success, but to "rejoice in the Lord."
We need never fear that our joy in the Lord has left us. After a season of heartache, disappointment, humiliation, or even death, joy always restores us. "For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5, NKJV).
The trial itself can give us reason to rejoice. "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:2-4, NKJV). Patience enables us to withstand disappointment and sorrow. When plans are ruined, or our feelings hurt, we rejoice in the faith that the Lord will use that heartache for our good. Our faith increases when we allow the Lord to work in our lives through our trials.
When our joy is in the Lord, we can rest in that joy even during our sorrows. Unfortunately, some other people may not want what is best for us. In John 16:20 Jesus tells His disciples that "you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy" (NKJV). The world may rejoice at our heartache, but our pain will be replaced by joy. Again, we read that sorrow is not a permanent state. Our joy comes from the Lord, a never-ending source. So, rejoice!