How to Find Joy in Everyday Life
When you hear the word joy, what comes to mind? Maybe you picture laughing or having fun. Perhaps you think of an experience you’ve had, such as your dream vacation. Or you think back on your wedding day or when your children were born.
Those circumstances are special and bring so much joy to our lives, but I want to talk about the day-to-day stuff. You know, the seemingly mundane activities of your life. For most of us, our schedules and daily activities aren’t something to write home about. In fact, if I were to open a window into your life, I might find a whole lot of frustrating chaos.
However, what if I told you that true joy (the joy that comes from God) isn’t circumstantial at all? I don’t know about you, but that puts a smile on my face! I don’t have to feel the weight of my busy schedule and list of to-dos. The stuff we so often complain about doesn’t have to bring us down.
The Strength of Joy
As one of the fruits of the spirit, joy is much more profound than what you do or what happens to you – which may or may not make you feel happy. Nehemiah 8:10 says that the joy of the Lord is our strength. It contains power because it comes from Him!
Someone that I listen to a lot has a mantra that I’ve started to implement in my own life, “bring the joy!” We don’t have to wait for a situation to bring us joy; we can make a choice to bring it with us, meaning we can be joyful in all things and at all times! We can wake up in the morning and decide what kind of day we’re going to have. We don’t have to let the spilled coffee or the kids fighting derail us. No, that’s when we need joy from the Lord to give us strength.
Does that sound impossible? Well, In Mark 10:27, Jesus told His disciples when they were confused about who could be saved, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God” (NLT). As with salvation, we could say that, humanly speaking, it is impossible to have real joy. But with God, it’s possible. True joy comes through having a relationship with Him. When we tap into Him, we no longer rely on willpower to get us through.
Abiding Joy
Joy is more than feeling happy and having a smile on your face. The old saying, “fake it till you make it,” doesn’t work too well. Therefore, joy isn’t constantly being happy. It also looks like peace, comfort, and fulfillment. Isn’t that what Jesus came to give us? You could describe it as the rebar of your life. A rebar is a steel rod used to reinforce concrete. Well, joy is the “rebar” of your life, and it’s the thing that gives you strength no matter what is going on around you.
When my dad was diagnosed with pancreatic and lung cancer, I didn’t feel one bit happy about it. However, I had strength from God on the inside of me rise and give me the strength and peace I needed. There was an underlying joy in knowing that God’s got this.
Jesus says in John 15:10-11, “When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow” (NLT)!
I don’t know about you, but overflowing joy sounds pretty good! However, to bring that kind of joy into your day-to-day activities, you must bring HIM into your daily activities. Don’t leave Him at church or in your morning quiet time. No, bring Him with you wherever we go!
