Say YES to Joy!
Even in Hard Times
Is it even possible to say ‘yes’ to joy even in hard times? Have you ever said to yourself, “When THIS happens, THEN I will feel joy.” Or “once we get through this tough time, I will feel better.” It seems nearly impossible to experience joy in the middle of a tough time.
How can we even consider being joyful when the stresses of life are whirling around us?
Here’s How!
The joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
Friends, having joy is what actually helps you get through that tough time! Yep, it’s true.
The joy of the Lord is your strength!
We tend to think that joy comes AFTER a tough time. However, according to the Bible, it needs to be present at ALL times in order for us to experience the full strength that God is offering us. We tend to get it backwards.
It’s the joy of the Lord that will carry us THROUGH a tough time, not what we receive AFTER the tough time.
Let me be clear. I am not talking about happiness. Happiness and joy are two different things.
Happiness is circumstantial. Joy is a gift.
It’s much deeper than the surface-level circumstances of life.
It comes from God. The stronger your relationship is with God, the more and more you experience His joy, even in the middle of difficult seasons.
(Read more about happiness here!)
Don’t wait until the storm passes to experience it. Praise God and experience His joy in the midst of trouble.
Open your heart to His goodness even while you may be suffering.
The joy of the Lord is your strength!
Keep His Word in your heart at all times. Download a Bible app so you can access it easily. Memorize this verse, so that you can repeat it to yourself whenever you are tempted to let that joy slip away.
