How to Have More Joy in the Lord—Even When Life is Tough
We are at the creek again today—hoping to imbibe the scarce rays of golden sunlight peering at us from behind the wooded knolls. I long to live with deep roots of joy in the Lord, but the winter months are often challenging.
We’re on the cusp of springtime now. Nevertheless, the winter months have worn on me.
Maybe you can relate.
You might not have to fight for joy in the wintertime, but perhaps you’re navigating a difficult season in your life.
Today, we’ll talk about how to have more joy in the Lord when life is challenging. No matter what your challenge looks like, I pray these words offer healing and hope.
How to Have More Joy in the Lord
1. We will have more joy in the Lord when we consistently look for people to love.
Last summer, I read a book called Finding People of Peace by M.F. Renee. These “People of Peace” are people who are open to godly encouragement and the love of Christ. The book encouraged me to be more intentional about looking for people to love and encourage. I started praying for God to lead me to people of peace before walking into stores, doctor’s offices, my kids’ school, and wherever I went.
As I became more aware of the needs surrounding me, God led me to people who needed his encouragement. Sometimes, I simply complimented a cashier on her nails. At other times, I was able to directly share my faith or even pray for strangers.
God wants us to look for needs to meet and people to love.
Start a habit of looking for people to love and encourage, and God will transform your mind and fill you with joy. You will experience the refreshment that comes from living to encourage and refresh others.
2. We uncover deeper joy by being vulnerable with God and others.
Vulnerability is important because vulnerability builds emotional connections.
Whether we want to establish closer relationships with God or others, vulnerability is essential.
At the end of each day, I spend a few minutes opening my heart to God. I talk to him about the good parts of the day, and I also share the difficult moments. I tell him everything I’m feeling and create space to rest in his love. This practice has deepened my relationship with him more than any other over the past months.
Additionally, joyful people have deep emotional connections with others. Do you have a close inner circle of friends with whom you can share your heart? If not, ask God to bring some inner-circle friends into your life. If so, practice being real with these friends. Your vulnerability will deepen your connections.
3. We find joy when we create space to savor life.
It takes work to create space to savor life, but if we don’t do the work, we might just miss the greatest of gifts of all.
The scent of waffles in the iron on a snowy winter morning.
The sound of children laughing.
Muddy footprints across the otherwise clean tile.
Bouquets of colorful flowers on our tables.
Bitter cold mornings with frost on the spindly arms of the oaks.
Cardinals at the birdfeeder.
If we’re not careful, our everyday moments will slip through our fingertips, and we’ll look back to realize we missed the best of God’s gifts.
If we’re not careful, our everyday moments will slip through our fingertips, and we’ll look back to realize we missed the best of God's gifts. #GodsGifts #Gratitude Click To Tweet
Today, I invite you to pause and pray through these insights.
Where is God leading you? I challenge you to follow him.
A Free Gift to Help You Have More Joy in the Lord:
I have a gift for you today. For a limited time, I invite you to download and read a chapter of my life-changing book, Lean Into Grace, right here. This chapter will help change the way you see the work God has placed in front of you and align your heart with his heart as you seek him in this work. Download this chapter for free with promo code GRACE right here. I pray it blesses you!
Calling All Moms and Daughters!
Additionally, my 12-year-old daughter, Bekah, and I wrote a mother-daughter devotional book to help mothers and daughters grow closer together while connecting with God. Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith includes 60 devotions with Scripture, commentaries from both of us, conversation starters, and even a shared journaling section. Multitudes of mothers, daughters, mentors, and younger women are being transformed by this book! You can find this book in eBook form for free on the Kindle Unlimited Plan or buy a print copy for 11.99 right here.
