We all face trials. Be it on a global scale or within our homes, we all encounter things, people, and situations that are heart wrenching. And where is God in the midst of all of this? If God is real, shouldn’t He be protecting us from the hard things? The scriptures have a different take on these questions. Instead of protecting people from trials, we see a God that is preparing and equipping people to take them on. What is the secret weapon? Joy. Joy is the greatest gift to have in times of trial. Joy is not like happiness dependent on our circumstances. It is a foundation in our life that gives us strength. The amount of joy we have directly correlates to how strong we are. As we go through trials, we have the opportunity to experience ultimate joy.