In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy. ( 2 Corinthians 7:4 4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying on your behalf: I am filled with comfort, I overflow with joy in all our affliction. )

What is extraordinary about Paul is how unbelievably durable his joy was when things weren’t going well.

Where did this come from?

First of all it was taught by Jesus: “Blessed are you when people hate you. . . . Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven” ( Luke 6:22 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you `from their company', and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. –23). Troubles for Jesus compound your interest in heaven — which lasts a lot longer than earth.

Second, it comes from the Holy Spirit, not our own efforts or imagination or family upbringing. “The fruit of the Spirit is . . . joy” ( Galatians 5:22 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ). “You received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit” ( 1 Thessalonians 1:6 6 And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit; ).

Third, it comes from belonging to the kingdom of God. “The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” ( Romans 14:17 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ).

Fourth, it comes through faith, that is, from believing God. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing” ( Romans 15:13 13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit. ). “I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith” ( Philippians 1:25 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, yea, and abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith; ).

Fifth, it comes from seeing and knowing Jesus as Lord. “Rejoice in the Lord always” ( Philippians 4:4 4 Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. ).

Sixth, it comes from fellow believers who work hard to help us focus on these sources of joy, rather than deceitful circumstances. “We work with you for your joy” ( 2 Corinthians 1:24 24 Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for in faith ye stand fast. ).

Seventh, it comes from the sanctifying effects of tribulations. “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” ( Romans 5:3 3 And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness; –4).

If we are not yet like Paul when he says, “I am overflowing with joy,” he calls us to be. “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” ( 1 Corinthians 11:1 Chapter 11 1 Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ. ). And for most of us this is a call to earnest prayer. Because a life of joy in the Holy Spirit is a supernatural life.