How To Choose Joy During Stressful Times

There is a song that I used to sing when I was in Sunday school. It was all about joy, and it goes like this:
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart (where?)
Down in my heart (where?)
Down in my heart
I remember singing this song as loud as I could. And just singing the song made me feel happy and full of joy.

Have you ever known people who seemed happy even though they were going through the worst circumstances? I’ve seen children who live in extreme poverty, have very little food, tattered clothing, and only trash to play with as toys, and yet they are laughing and happy. They have JOY!

Have you ever known people who always seem negative even though they seem to have everything? I know people who live in huge houses, have lots and lots of money and expensive clothing, and are dripping in diamonds, but they are miserable and unhappy.

In most people’s minds, the person with everything should be happiest, which is a natural reaction. Most of us have heard the saying; Money can’t buy you happiness,” which is probably true. However, happiness is not what any of us should even strive for.

Instead of looking for “happiness,” you should be looking for “joy.” Happiness is an emotion that we experience from our surroundings. If it is raining outside, that can put you in a bad mood. You might have a bad hair day, which takes away your happiness. If happiness depends on circumstances we can’t control, then happiness happens to you. Happiness isn’t something that you can choose, and happiness can’t be sustained.

Joy, however, is a choice. Joy is an attitude that comes from deep inside our hearts and soul. It is a feeling of contentment or peace, and even when things get hard, the feeling of joy can still stay with you.

I recently started a Read The Bible In A Year program, and we are stuck in the book of Job. I say stuck because this book is emotionally hard to read. If anyone had a right to be void of joy, it would be Job.

Job 6:10

¹⁰ Then I would still have this consolation—my joy in unrelenting pain—that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.

Job lost everything. He lost his livestock, he lost his servants, and he lost his children. Job was not happy because these were circumstances that he could not control. However, he still had joy, and he still praised the Lord.

Job 6:20-22

²⁰ When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God ²¹ and said: “We bring nothing at birth; we take nothing with us at death. The Lord alone gives and takes. Praise the name of the Lord!” ²² In spite of everything, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong.

I’m not sure I could be like Job. I want to be, but while you are going through a swirling downward spiral, it is hard to find joy. I could see clinging to hope, but joy doesn’t always come easy.

So, how do we find joy when everything is out of control? Joy comes when we choose to trust in the Lord. Feeling grief, sorrow, and being heartbroken is normal in the face of loss. Remembering to praise the Lord and knowing that His plans are greater than yours will make choosing to have joy easier. With joy, there is always HOPE!

The God Goes The Glory!

Have a Blessed Day!