It isn’t always easy to discern between paths of enduring joy and paths of fleeting pleasure. Sometimes, those who are least interested in walking the path of enduring joy seem to have it better than those who do. The key to resolving the difference is taking a long-term perspective:
34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him. (Psalm 37)
The joy of the wicked comes because they have not yet encountered the awareness of reality that would overcome their perspective. The righteous have learned principles that allow them to overcome everything that the world can throw at them. Their suffering brings continuous refinement. Therefore, they might suffer for a season, but will always have greater joy:
18 The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. (Psalm 37)
The wicked are like a boat that isn’t really seaworthy, but hasn’t yet encountered bad weather:
19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked:
20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. (Proverbs 24)
The righteous are a boat that regularly gets buried in mountainous waves, but always comes back up unscathed:
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. (Psalm 37)
There is more than one reason to desire a ship that can withstand great waves. While waves will come whether you like it or not, it is the waves that carry you to greater joy:
And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind. (Ether 6:5)