In the Bible, and just like in these stories, people rejoice in all kinds of difficult situations; therefore, biblical rejoicing must be more than simply being happy. Rejoicing in the Lord does not mean we are oblivious or naive to reality. Christian rejoicing doesn’t mean that we make light of our hardships and difficulty. 

When we live with the awareness of Jesus’ soon return, it makes it all the more easy to rejoice in the Lord and to show gentleness to all men.