IF you are paying attention to what the Lord is trying to teach us though our clear and present trials then you should see know that God will use this present situation to draw us nearer to him. That is if we will let Him. Have you ever considered how valuable Joy was in the face of danger as you go into battle- What joy do you embrace when things don't work out the way you wanted them- Is it really Joy- I ask should it be Joy. How easy is it to find joy when you have a flat tire or when you lose something that was very dear to your heart- Though that may be a very difficult time for you we should learn that a joyful outlook will lead the way to victory in your battles, while gloominess most often secures your defeat. Think about that. That is to say when you're not happily focused on joy in our Lord is it not easy to have a positive outlook- I ask you to consider the options when you fail to have that Joyful expression in times of trouble as Scripture tells we are to have, does it not leave you with a negative attitude- --Well what is Joy anyway- Well some definitions include great pleasure, happiness, jubilation, and wellbeing just to name a few. What we must come to grips with is that weather we are basking in the joys of the world and its sinful pleasures which are only temporary, or are we secured in the eternal joy that is given as a gift of the Spirit of God. Only happiness in the Lord, by the gift of the Spirit leads to victory by the perfecting of enduring faith.