Eventhough...

Day in day out we deal with a lot in life, don't we?  Wrestling with goals and presumptions, expectations and achievements, haggard health and questionable finances, on and on it goes.
Still, the Bible encourages us to let "the joy of the Lord be our strength."

Habakkuk sure had that perspective...(no that's not a Marboro brand, yes it was really a Bible prophet's name)

Habakkuk 3:17–19 (NIV84)

¹⁷ Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, ¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. ¹⁹ The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.


Here's a poignant piece...

"Remember that joy is not dependent on your circumstances. Some of the world’s most miserable people are those whose circumstances seem the most enviable. People who reach the top of the ladder career-wise are often surprised to find emptiness awaiting them. True joy is a by-product of living in God's Presence... Do not judge a day as devoid of Joy just because it contains difficulties...If you make problem-solving secondary to the goal of living close to God, you can find Joy even in your most difficult days."
     - Sarah Young

Then why do we experience difficult days? Trying circumstances? Frustrating people?  Perhaps to keep us dependent on Him. Self navigation leads to self confidence. And self confidence, not balanced with God confidence = drifting away from dependence on Him.  And if we drift away, we'll likely develop a “rich young ruler” syndrome…