And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:52

The Christian life is to be a life of joy! Consider these two verses:

John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

1 John 1:4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

From these we might think that the Christian life is not only joyful, but that our joy is somehow related to unceasing desirable circumstances, but the context of the last verse in Acts 13 is about suffering persecution. And yet the disciples were joyful even in adverse circumstances. How?

First, their sins were forgiven. No matter what else befalls us, if we are saved, we have the greatest reason of all to be joyful.

Second, they were serving the Lord. When we are serving the Lord, we have reason to be joyful even if/when serving is not easy or pleasurable!

Consider and be encouraged by this passage that mentions joy, even in unpleasant circumstances:

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.