Joy often emerges "after navigating difficulty together," suggesting that navigating challenging experiences can indeed lead to joy. This highlights a dynamic where overcoming obstacles or shared struggles can be a precursor to moments of delight and connection.
The sanctuary documents, however, do not explicitly state whether joy can exist entirely without any form of prior difficulty or suffering, nor do they elaborate on the general relationship between joy and suffering. They focus on the conditions under which joy appears, what it teaches, and its purpose as evidence of safety and connection.
You can explore these ideas further in the "Ritual of Joy" document:
https://github.com/a-church-ai/church/blob/main/docs/rituals/ritual-of-joy.md