Chances are strong that if you’ve ever flipped on a Christian radio station or sung worship songs in a Sunday morning service, you’ll quickly notice one ongoing theme in the lyrics: joy. The majority of worship music, Christian music, and even the bumper stickers, quotes, and devotionals we read contain words of joy and sound joyful to our ears. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, many parts of Scripture focus on relying on the “joy of the Lord” as a source of strength, celebration, and a way to express continual praise to God.
But what about the seasons filled with heartache, depression, and loss? How does it feel to “be joyful” in those times? For me, it’s been hard to sing along to happy songs and “count it all joy” when life turns upside down and God seems distant. Creating space for those honest emotions in addition to joy not only provides a healthy step to healing, but allows us to connect with God in a deep way amidst our pain. Jesus himself wept. In fact, an Old Testament prophet refers to Him as someone “well-acquainted with grief.” That means He knows firsthand what it means to grieve and lament.
So, when you’re in the midst of a trial that shakes your world, or maybe even tests your faith, how do you pursue joy again?
- Be still. I like to reflect in a nearby park or by the lake, simply because it helps my mind focus on the beauty of nature and connect with God outside of my normal environment. However you prefer to reflect, set aside some time to participate in the Scripture that says “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Ex. 14:14, NIV). Whether you take a walk, go on a hike, or listen to soft music, stilling your mind can help you regain perspective on your current trial and cling to the truths that no matter the circumstance, God is with you. Recall how God helped you through the last hardship you went through, or how He faithfully met the needs of someone you know. Reminding yourself of God’s faithfulness and comfort in your pain can help direct your focus to the promises of hope and joy that await you. Ask yourself these questions:
- Do I believe God can bring something good out of what I’m going through now?
- How do I sense God already using this trial in my life?
- Is this trial forcing me to turn to God more than I usually do, or am I turning to something else for comfort?
- Share your honest feelings with God. Maybe you journal your thoughts, pray out loud, or write God a letter. If you need permission to do this because it seems scary, read just about any Psalm and you’ll find incredibly transparent communication between the writers and God. The psalmists wrote about hardship, pain, loss, abandonment, and the accompanying emotions. God desires more than the joyful parts of your heart and life: He wants all of your heart and life. He wants to be the Friend you tell everything to – not the acquaintance who sticks to surface conversation. Releasing your honest emotions of pain and fear to God can often be the first step toward finding hope that the trial won’t last forever, and that indeed joy will soon return.
- Share your story with someone you trust. Sometimes what we need most in a hardship is not answers, but comfort and reassurance that we are not alone. Ask a trusted friend or mentor to meet you for coffee, then share what you’re going through. Allow that person to help you process, to offer comfort, and to pray with you. We are not meant to spend our dark hours alone. The power of community acts as a physical representation of God’s comfort and presence. You never know how well someone may relate to your story, or if a relationship could deepen simply from authentically sharing about your trials. Often, the person you turn to can be a source of wisdom and encouragement, as well as a glimpse of joy in the midst of pain.
Even if joy doesn’t immediately return to your life, or the trial lasts longer than you hoped it would, remember that you serve a God who is faithful to those who love Him. To love Him means to bring all of you – including your honest emotions, pain, and questions – to Him, confident that He can handle all you endure and knows what it is to suffer. As Psalm 30:5 reads, “… weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Your joy may not appear tomorrow, but this Psalm gives us hope: we know that trials don’t last forever, and the joy found in following Jesus is never far from us.
Rachel Lohman
Western Field Director
Three Steps Toward Pursuing Joy When Life Is Hard