“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials”

James 1:2

Biblical rejoicing has nothing to do with being happy or experiencing pleasure and everything to do with faith.

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,”

1 Peter 1:6-8

We rejoice because we believe.  Our rejoicing in trial proves our faith.

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.12“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great;”

Matthew 5:11-12  (a beatitude from the Sermon on the Mount)

As an example of rejoicing in adversity consider this testimony of a brother of two of the Egyptian martyrs beheaded by ISIS in Libya a few weeks back.

I had a bit of a sore leg today and I was trying out the rejoicing from within that the Holy Spirit seems to always be doing in me, if I’d but listen.  Seemed to work.  I had this curious sense of experiencing the pain and considering it a joy though not enjoying the experience in any sensual way:

³ Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴ and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵ and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:3-5

Rejoice always!

Finally my brethren rejoice!