Joy In Affliction

“Our afflictions brothers and sisters often will not be extinguished, they will be dwarfed and swallowed up in the joy of Christ. That’s how we overcome, most of the time. It’s not their elimination, but the placing of them in that larger context.” - Neal A. Maxwell. 

Joy is a much deeper emotion than fleeting happiness and is only found in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ -- or trying to live it.  I do believe we can experience joy even in the midst of affliction.  Pure joy is the peace we feel in striving to live the Gospel.

Afflictions, as much as we don't like to experience them, are necessary for our eternal progression.  It is through afflictions and trials that we learn and grow.  That's why we're here.

If your mortal journey isn't full of strife, affliction, and trials then you aren't progressing. In fact, the more we overcome, the more we learn and progress.  Afflictions are a necessary component of mortality. Thankfully we all eventually graduate.

But like Elder Maxwell said even though our afflictions will not be extinguished, they will be diminished in the joy of Christ.

That's my two cents.