Finding Joy When Life is Hard

​Joy. It’s an underlying theme throughout the Bible. There’s joy in God’s presence, joy in God’s house, joy when we receive the answer to our prayers. Are you tapping into it?

Life itself can be a bumpy ride. Hills and valleys, ups and downs. A promotion at work one day and layoffs the next. The bills caught up and then the car breaks down. The kids doing well and then trouble at school or on the playground.
 
You can feel on top of the world one day and the next feels like a slippery slope as you try to navigate this thing called LIFE. It can be easy to fall prey to worry, fear and doubt when life is hard.
 
And then there’s God. 
 
God wants you to be joyful. Despite what you see around you, despite the heartaches, the pain and the trouble, you are destined for a life of joy.
 
To be clear, I’m not talking about the happy feeling you get when your friend brings you a pumpkin spiced latte. This is not the same kind of “happy” you feel when you go on a shopping spree. This is a deep-rooted joy that becomes a part of who you are—because of who He is.
 
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11 NIV (Bolds mine.)
 
To understand the difference between fleeting happiness and a lifetime of joy, it’s helpful to look at the original Greek. Joy is translated from the Greek word chará derived from the word charis which means grace.
 
From Grace Springs Joy 
The apostle Paul understood the secret to joy. Despite the trials and many persecutions he faced, God encouraged him with these words, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) 
 
You can find joy when you rely on God’s grace. That may look differently for different situations, but ultimately it comes down to bringing our cares and concerns to the One who can do something about them.
 
Ask and You Will Receive
“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:24 NIV 
 
There’s that joy word again! Whatever is troubling you, whatever concern is weighing you down, bring it to the cross. Lay it at the feet of your Savior and God and ASK. 
 
Ask for God’s help. Ask for His guidance. Ask for divine intervention... that your joy may be made full.
 
Nothing is Too Big or Small
Nothing is too big or too small to bring before the Lord, and that includes national and world events. If the daily news is troubling, don’t let it overwhelm you. Turn to God in prayer and ask. 
 
Ask God to step in and make things right. Ask for His justice to prevail. Ask for His protection over the children in our nation – and in your home.
 
Your life does not have to be a rollercoaster ride of emotions. When life feels out of control, tap into the presence of the living God. Tap into joy.
 
“Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” Psalm 47:1
 
Here’s a prayer you can pray to help you through this day:
 
God, I commit my cares to you. All the hard things, all the good things... I ask for your grace to get me through every situation I may come across today, and I ask for your joy to fill me! I will praise you. I will shout to you with a joyful heart. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
 
 
This blog first appeared on FamilyChristian.com