For instance, we don't rejoice for death or for pain or for divorce or for cancer. But, by the grace of God, it is given us to rejoice in or during or after these rather difficult and painful circumstances. The conclusion the Apostle wants us to draw from our text is that the circumstances of one's life do not determine joy. All too often even Christians think joy is dependent upon the circumstances of one's life. Teenagers and young adults who make this mistake make joy contingent upon good grades, good looks, a friend of the opposite sex, a sporty car, a good-paying job, or no longer being teased and picked upon by classmates.
Christian joy can never be dependent upon the circumstances of life.
In fact, as a child of God you should be joyful whatever may be the circumstances. You should be joyful in prosperity or poverty, health or sickness, life or death, rain or drought, sunshine or cloud. Rejoice in the Lord always. Christians are to rejoice in the Lord always at all times and in all circumstances. At all times and in all circumstances we are to have a wholehearted joy in God through Christ.