"There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God (Eccl 2:24)."
It is vain to think that sorrow, travail, and grief amount to something with God. Our sorrow and tears add nothing to the blood of Jesus Christ. It's foolish to trade joy for grief. Your self-denial is not righteousness before God. It is better to labor in hope and enjoy the finished work of Jesus Christ; it is better to consider God a gracious, satisfied, and wise heavenly Father… than to think of Him as some hard task master. It is better to receive everything by unmerited grace, rather than trying to earn a single blessing. Your labors don't invoke His Spirit, therefore take time, and enjoy grace. We receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Gal 3:14).
One of the greatest traps that Satan throws to snare God's believing people is that he plays upon our zeal. Believers have a sincere desire to glorify God. Yet, if we're not constantly pointed away from ourselves to Jesus Christ the Lord, we'll try to do enough, mourn enough, serve enough, and the ultimate end will be grief. The Galatians were being zealously affected, but not after a good thing. Their initial joy was gone because they were turning from free grace into self-righteousness (Gal 4:15-19). We must unlearn most everything that we learned in our days of works religion. Paul had to rebuke Peter very sternly for separating tables between Jew and Gentile. For if one thing in this body makes us better, then grace is gone and sanctification is all about doing. Yet, grace is not for those who work hard enough and have enough zeal. You don't 'earn grace', you don't 'do' for grace, and nothing can be substituted for simply believing. (Eccl 2:26) For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Good works are part of the Christian's inheritance, and God's inheritance is dependent upon God alone. (Col 1:12-14) "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" Growth in sanctification isn't, "I'm so good, now let me make myself better… or I'm so bad, so let me cry and fast away my sin." Increased fruitfulness is, "Yes, I'm wretched in the flesh indeed. But, God has made me a new creature, and it's His good pleasure to give me the victory." (You'll grow in fruitfulness proportionately as you believe that.) He instantaneously sanctified you when He taught you the gospel. You didn't receive the knowledge of the Truth in your old man. But, since your old man was judicially punished upon the cross, the Holy Spirit begat you by the gospel as a new creature (I Pet 4:1-2). Christ didn't just earn a perfect standing for you; He purchased newness of life. "But now being made free from sin [by the cross], and become servants to God [by the new birth], ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord [every aspect of life–justification, sanctification, and glorification– is a free gift through Christ] (Rom 6:22-23)." Therefore, believers say with Paul, "For I [the old man] through the law died to the law, that I [the new man] might live unto God (Gal 2:19)."
One of the most difficult things about God's inheritance is believingly waiting for Him to fulfill His promise. Much of our lack of joy is unbelievingly trying to obtain the promise, or settling for Ishmael's because we don't think that it will ever come. Yet, remember that God doesn't generally give the aged fruits of sanctification all at once. He gives increased knowledge of the inheritance by trying and purging faith over time. Daniel didn't immediately endure the lion's den. God proved him and matured him with trials. God showed Himself faithful to Daniel in the smaller, and then, at the time appointed, He showed Himself more and more faithful in the greater. Brethren, the end of our knowing His will and being strengthened by His Spirit is "… all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness (Col 1:9-11)." Patience is key to obtaining any inheritance. Some inheritances administer all of the gifts immediately, but our Father manifestly blesses us bit by bit. A wise millionaire will not leave his son the entire fortune at the age of 18. He will stipulate that different gifts are given at different stages of his son's maturity– when the son will have the best understanding of their preciousness. Therefore, patiently wait for the promise. Search the Scriptures in patience, and you will find hope and comfort (Rom 15:4). Patiently pour out your heart to Him, and He will answer for Christ's sake. Patiently endure afflictions, and the travail shall begat rejoicing. (Eccl 2:26) "For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit."