Joy…how we all desire joy! That inner most longing that so many search for on a daily basis! Joy transforms difficult times into blessings and turns heartache into gratitude. Joy could also be viewed as an utmost surrender and a choice to be made. Depending on the translation, the word “joy” can be found between 165-245 times in the Bible. Joy is obviously very important; however, it’s often misunderstood.
A few years ago, I had the word joy spoken over me, not once, but twice. After many years of caring for two parents and everything that accompanies that, I just didn’t see joy in my life. Obviously, others did! Maybe I was missing or misunderstanding something. What my friends had spoken over me was accurate. I DID have joy! I was just misunderstanding the true meaning.
I have seen joy listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit; however, the true meaning of joy is often confused with the emotion of happiness. I had my eyes set on happiness rather than joy. Happiness is linked to external circumstances or even possessions and can sometimes feel like a roller coaster ride. Happiness is here one day and gone the next. Joy, on the other hand, is deeper. It comes from our connection with God, not from our life’s circumstances. Joy is a choice, a deliberate focus on God’s presence and all He has to offer.
So, did I have joy in the midst of my daily caregiving? Yes, I did. God was my rock and my fortress. He was my comforter, counselor, and guide. Did I question Him? Absolutely! Did I experience happiness? Sometimes. When things looked like they were improving and we had amazing days, there was nothing but happiness. But as the definition of happiness says, it will be fleeting. Those amazing days eventually came crashing down.
James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. “
Caregiving did bring trials, and those trials taught me how to persevere through whatever was thrown at me that day. The trials brought many tears and brought me to my knees more times than I can count. It was through these times I learned that the real secret to joy was training my heart, rather than depending on my mood.
How many times do you say, “I’m just not feeling it today?” The world values feelings and emotions, and often, we make them the highest authority in our day. The Christian life isn’t one of passive response to fleeting moods, but it is a call to active engagement with our Lord, especially when our hearts feel cold, hurt, or distracted.
Society often tells us to “follow our hearts.” Jeremiah 17:9 tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” But…what if we allowed our hearts to become pliable instead of a fixed instrument? What if we allowed our Creator to shape and train our hearts? That’s where joy begins.
If we are going to allow the Lord to shape and train our hearts, there are some steps we must take in order to partner with Him in this journey:
*Begin with the Word. Read and reread. Let it sink in. Do it slowly and intentionally. It doesn’t matter when during the day you do it. Personally, I prefer to do it first thing in the morning with my breakfast. It sets my mind and heart on the right path for the day. When we wake up with a sluggish heart and decide not to read the Word of God or seek God in prayer, it may seem like a minor concession. But over time, these small neglects compound, leaving us spiritually depleted. When we are depleted, joy is absent.
*Express gratitude. Even in the trials there is something to be grateful for. It may be minuscule, but it’s still good. It’s all about what you magnify.
*Enjoy God’s presence. He is with us always. He is there on the mountain top, in the valley and all points in between. Cry to Him for help. Talk to Him when things seem dry or even discouraging. The key is persistence with Him.
Joy is a process. This process isn’t instant. Trees don’t grow overnight. But over time, with consistency, you will find your spiritual roots growing deeper and stronger. Joy may not come immediately, but it will come as you begin to make Jesus your first and final focus in your day. It’s about knowing Jesus and developing an intimate relationship with Him.
We want to thank Kathy Jones for sharing this post.
Women's Ministry 