Thinking about joy has been a good exercise for me. It has helped me turn my thoughts away from the negative, and forced me to focus my thoughts on the positive. All of this has been the work of the Holy Spirit, of course, but I'm glad that I seem to be making progress. I found a passage in 2 Corinthians 1 that gives another reason for suffering. Paul writes: "All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others (my emphasis). When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4. In other words, sometimes we have to go through things so that we can help others as they go through the same thing. It's another reason why fellowship in the church is so important. I find it key when I'm having a difficult time to be with my brothers and sisters in Christ--it almost feels like there's an invisible force field surrounding me. I certainly was aware that people were praying during the recent passing of my mother-in-law. The prayers allowed me to be strong for my husband while we went through what seemed like a very drawn out process. (Pulmonary fibrosis is not kind.) So the prayers offered up allowed me the peace I needed through trying circumstances, and that in itself is a kind of joy. I pray that I can pass along the same kindness when someone else needs it.