By Sally Johnson
It was one of the most horrific times in my life. I’d been blindsided by the hidden, unacceptable, and hurtful decisions of my husband, and, consequently, my life toppled off its axis.
Life as I knew it crumbled before my eyes. I was devastated.
Not knowing what to do or where to turn, I met with a wise friend to bare my heart and seek counsel. During our heart-to-heart, she asked, “What do you want?”
“I just want to be happy again!” I said with tears.
But I didn’t know the difference between being happy and being joyful.
Happiness vs. Joy
Both happiness and joy give us positive feelings, but they have differing distinguishing characteristics.
Happiness is fickle. Although enjoyable for a time, happiness is conditional and dependent upon circumstances. Since our circumstances fluctuate from day-to-day, so can our happiness.
However, joy is dependent upon God’s presence in our lives—His constancy, His unwavering love for us, and our personal relationship with God (Heb 13:8; Jer 31:3).
What I needed—and what we all need—is joy.
4 Ways to Find Joy in Challenging Times
Sometimes we face disquieting seasons, but even during worrisome circumstances we can have joy. Here are four ways to pursue joy during hard times.
#1 – Rest in and rely on the Father.
When unwelcomed events hit—unforeseen illness, death of loved ones, wayward children, financial difficulties—and joy is threatened, our first response should be to turn our focus away from our trials and run to our heavenly Father.
God invites us to come to Him as a child runs into the open arms of a parent (Lk 15:20). He’ll rejoice over us with gladness and quiet us with His love (Zep 3:17). Even when we’re at our worst, God never leaves or forsakes us (Heb 13:5) because His love is unconditional (Rom 8:39).
Delving into Scripture to learn all we can about our God is paramount in our ability to rest in His love and to rely on His glorious character. As we discover God’s trustworthiness and embrace His love, our joy increases (Dt 7:9).
Carve out time each day to read and reflect on Scripture and keep your eyes on our good Father.
#2 – Reverse negative perspectives.
When we find ourselves in unsettling circumstances, we may consider them a bane in our existence. But James instructs us to reverse our negative perspective about trials by considering them a blessing (Jas 1:2).
James explains how trials can be a blessing because they produce endurance, help foster maturity, and complete us (Jas 1:4). James wrote, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (Jas 1:12).
While we live in a broken world, God can still use trials to refine our faith and foster a deeper longing for the day when all things are made new and we’re face-to-face with Jesus in a perfect, eternal Heaven (Rev 21:1–5). We can cling to Jesus and Scripture knowing we will never walk alone and that great joy is ahead.
Reversing negative thinking requires us to squeeze out all unjoyful thoughts that creep into our minds and hearts and counter them with biblical truths. Although the Bible was written centuries ago, Scripture is filled with encouraging truths we can hold fast to today.
#3 – Press into praise.
When we’re battling gloom, we can press into praise by coming before God to glorify Him through praise, including song (Ps 147:1). Hymns are excellent examples of praise. Scripturally-sound contemporary songs can also help raise our voices in exaltation to our King.
Our praise doesn’t have to be sophisticated or picture perfect. The psalmist writes, “make a joyful noise unto the Lord” (Ps 100:1, emphasis mine). The Lord longs to hear our praises—no matter how they sound!
The book of Psalms is filled with praise to God and points us to various ways of expressing it—clapping, playing instruments, dancing (Ps 47:1; 149:3; 150:3–6). We also can extol God in non-musical ways like writing a poem (Ps 23) or visual arts illustrating our praise through painting.
However we can glorify our King, we should do it because He delights in our praise.
#4 – Start a joy journal.
Our joy can be bolstered when we gratefully recall the many times God saw us through difficult circumstances. Each of us will have different lists, but they remind us of God’s trustworthiness and can become a doorway to deeper faith and trust in the Lord.
Here’s how to start a joy journal to track with God’s faithfulness in our lives:
- When you experience a trial, jot down a brief description of the problem, how you’re feeling, and date it.
- To focus on Jesus rather than your problems, fill in this sentence: “This trial of (fill in trial here) is a blessing because (list one reason here). Read the sentence aloud to reinforce joy-filled thinking. Remind yourself while feelings are temporary, God’s Word is eternal.
- Record what you’re learning about God’s character and His promises, noting the Scripture references to support these discoveries.
- Keep track of how God is working to restore or increase your joy despite the unwelcomed circumstance(s) you experience.
- Praise the Lord even if you don’t feel like it! Consider listening to a worship song, writing a prayer or poem to God, or drawing a picture of yourself praising God.
Over time, flip back through your joy journal to recount God’s faithfulness in your life.
Finding Joy in Jesus
We learn much during challenging times in our lives, but we can cling to the truth that “all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28).
Life will continue to bring about new challenges and difficulties, but we can run to the open arms of our heavenly Father, talk with Him, praise Him, and rest in His unconditional love as He fills us with all joy and peace (Rom 15:13).
Sally Johnson
Sally is grateful for the life that the Lord has given her, especially His nearness during difficult seasons. Among her blessings are her husband, their two children, their spouses, and four precious grandsons. She dabbles in pottery and painting and enjoys reading, writing, and music.
