Have you ever walked through a season when, despite difficult circumstances, you had joy in your heart? And when your friends asked how you were doing, and you told them all that was going on, you got weird eyes because all they could see was joy? It can definitely be an interesting feeling. This is what I like to call the joy of the Lord. Despite the craziness all around us, with this kind of joy, we can find ourselves unfazed.

I’d like to clarify the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is an emotion that comes from something temporary like receiving a gift or winning an award. But joy is from the Lord—it’s deeper, like the feeling we get when we give to others or worship our God.

There was a season in my life recently when I had finally achieved my dream job—and not just that, but my calling! I had worked so hard for five years for this moment. My husband and I were given one week to pack up all our belongings and move to a different town.

What we didn’t expect was all the obstacles that would come our way during this one week. There were plenty, trust me. But the one I remember the most vividly was when I dropped off my rental car and noticed that someone had broken into my personal car. My whole car was trashed inside. Papers were scattered everywhere, pieces were missing, and the hood was left wide open. Someone had tried to hot-wire my car.

I’ll be honest, I was definitely shocked at first. But then I started small: I reorganized all my important papers and placed them in their spot. I shut the hood of my car, finally found the missing plastic piece, and replaced it where it belonged. After all this, I called my husband to inform him and began to laugh. See, despite someone trying to steal my car during a very hectic time in my life, I had joy, because I knew the enemy was working hard to make trouble so I would become frantic and angry. But our God is so mighty and powerful that He showed me what the enemy was trying to do and reminded me that He was taking care of me throughout this whole process.

The Word says that “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10), so there is no need to fear or worry. God gives us joy and peace to weather the storms and trials we face. When we’re in His Word and we trust God, He reminds us of this. The next time you find yourself in a difficult season, try first seeking the Lord in prayer or worship. Once this becomes a natural practice for you, His joy will come to you more quickly.

Challenge:

How are you finding ways to experience God’s joy?

—Dominique McHenry

Based on the song Joy (To The World). Original post by Life.Church Worship available on YouVersion based on the album - Gloria by Life.Church Worship.