Have you ever associated joy with suffering in your life? For most of us joy and suffering are virtually opposites and very far apart. Do you recallthe words of the writer of the Hebrews who wrote of Jesus?

...who for the sake of the joy that was set
before Him endured the cross disregarding the shame...
(Hebrews 12:2)

And the Apostle Peter reinforces that joy is intrinsic to suffering in the living of life:

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal
that is taking place among you to test you, as
though something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice in so far as you are sharing
Christ’s suffering...(1Peter 4:12-13)

So the joy of our life is found in the midst of our sufferings. As Jesus Himself said:

If any want to become my followers, let them
deny themselves and take their cross and
follow me. (Matthew 9:23)

Indeed this is our purpose in life; our joy in following our Lord.