what does the bible say?
1 Thessalonians 5:16 urges believers to rejoice, pray, and give thanks continually; this applies during any circumstance, even during hardships. Many verses in the Bible express the same teaching. Habakkuk was aware of the coming judgment on Judah, yet he rejoiced in God because he trusted in Him. Likewise, Nehemiah told the Jewish exiles returning to Jerusalem that they would find strength by rejoicing in the Lord.
Early church figures suffered immensely for the sake of the Gospel, yet rejoiced even during their suffering. Peter and other apostles celebrated their affliction because it meant the Lord found them worthy of suffering for His sake. In the beatitudes Jesus tells believers to be joyful when persecuted for His sake because of the eternal reward that awaits us). The Bible also presents the reasons for such rejoicing: salvation (Luke 10:20), God's justice and sovereignty (Psalm 67:4), God’s sovereign, perfect plan for us (Romans 8:28), our victory in Christ (1 John 5:4; 1 Corinthians 10:13; John 16:33), the assurance of God’s love for us (Romans 8:35–39), our trust in God’s provision for us (Philippians 4:19), our sanctification (James 1: 2-4), and in the spiritual healing and peace we have from the Lord (Isaiah 61:1-4; Philippians 4:4–7).