“Pastor, I just went through a difficult experience, I’m finding it difficult to find my joy. What do I do?”

I think you may be mistaking happiness for joy. Although the dictionary defines them in a way that makes them similar, but from a Christian perspective, joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Which means it can only be gotten from the spirit, not any physical thing. That’s right! A Christian’s joy cannot be connected to any material thing, at all.

There’s a popular scripture that says “In all things give Him thanks…”. People have misconstrued that scripture to mean that when we are in bad situations, we should still find something good in our lives to thank God for. For instance, someone just lost a job, and then you tell the person to thank God because he still has his brains or even his life. While that may be a good practice that also moves God to act, it’s not totally what that scripture meant. Let’s read that scripture:

1 Thessalonians 5:
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Many people read the thanksgiving part but pay less attention to the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning them. So, you’re expected to thank God for His word in whatever situation you find yourself. Just because you’re in a situation doesn’t mean God’s word will no longer come to pass. God’s word still stands and will not fail, the situation notwithstanding. Let me show you a few scriptural examples:

SCRIPTURE 1:

Habakkuk 3:
17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls
18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

Did you see that? Although there may not be food in the house, and you may not have money in your account, your business may be doing badly, and you have every reason to be unhappy, but you can still find joy in God’s word and promises to you. Rejoice in the Lord, not in the situation. To rejoice in God’s salvation simply implies that you should gladden your heart over every word of safety and assurance He has spoken towards you.

SCRIPTURE 2:

Romans 4:
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be
19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

This scripture sheds more light to the previous scripture. Abraham didn’t consider the obvious negative reports, he was strong in faith – glorying the name of the Lord for His promise towards him. His body was too dead to impregnate a woman, but as long as God had promised him, he couldn’t let negative emotions deter him from receiving God’s promise.

That’s how it should be when we get challenged. Your focus should be on the promise, not the challenge. Your joy would always remain with you if your focus is on the promise. So I may not have garri to make eba at night, but I’d rejoice because Phillipians 4:19 guarantees that God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. I will thank God for His word, not for having soup😂.

SCRIPTURE 3:

Hebrews 12:
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

This is also similar to the previous scripture. Jesus endured the pain of carrying the cross and being crucified just because of the promise of the father. That scripture says, “… Because of the joy that was set before him, he endured…”. There was no doubt that he was going through pain, but the promise kept him joyful.

SCRIPTURE 4:

Philippians 4:
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

In a world where nothing endures forever, it’s literally impossible to be happy always. However, God’s word is unchanging, and that means we can rejoice always. You will always find a word that would give you joy in every situation.

As I conclude, just in case your situation is as a result of your commitment to the kingdom of God, James admonishes us to count it all joy when we fall into diverse temptations, and that’s because the trial will bring us to a place of rest from all struggles. Actually, everyone who practices joy with this understanding always gets what they rejoiced over. Jesus did, Abraham did, Habakkuk did. Joy is a game changer!

I hope this has brought enlightenment to someone.

Remain ever blessed, in Jesus precious name!

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