Joy came the other day; She stayed only a few hours, But she lifted me up, And I felt so much better. In Matthew 6:13-14, Jesus describes two paths: one is broad, easy to find, and well-traveled. The other is narrow and difficult to navigate. The broad path leads to destruction. The narrow path follows faith and is challenging. Is the Christian life only about obedience and suffering, or can joy be found on this narrow path? In a collection of reflections on how suffering has reshaped his understanding of real joy, Donn Rubingh turns to God's Word to remind believers that faith, hope, and love form a firm foundation for Christian joy that can transcend our greatest challenges. Drawing on wisdom from past scholars and the Bible's answer for a joy that endures now and forever, Donn also addresses whether nonbelievers experience joy, the question of joy amid the conflicts we face, and includes interviews with two church planters, along with practical suggestions for increasing joy while serving the Lord in times of both conflict and tranquility. Count It Pure Joy is a spiritual guide for believers seeking joyful living in both good and hard times.
