Do you find yourself a little less joyful these days than you have been in the past? Life seems harder than it used to be, civility is difficult to find, and decorum seems to be a relic of the past. From news reports and social media to common experiences in our everyday lives, the world is teeming with anger, despair, and outright evil. It’s understandable we may experience a lack of joy in such a world.
Against this backdrop, we must reconcile our feelings with the Apostle Paul’s admonition to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4). Considering these words, how and where can we go about finding joy and peace for our souls in these dark days? I assure you that hope is not lost and indeed, if we are faithful, joy will come again tomorrow (Psalm 30:5).
The first thing to notice about Paul’s admonition is the fact he says to rejoice in the Lord. We’re not finding joy because most of the time, we are searching for it in the wrong places. We seek joy everywhere but in the Lord (Jeremiah 2:13). Our foundations shake when we discover much of what we’ve learned in life has been built on lies and we don’t know who or what to believe anymore (Psalm 11:3). Trust in government, physicians, and even the church is at historic lows. Nothing appears to be what we once thought it to be. It can feel as if the ground beneath your feet is falling away. But there is One who does not change, Jesus Christ the righteous One (Hebrews 13:8). He is worthy of our trust, our faith, and our hope (Psalm 62:5-6).
When we seek Jesus, not only will we find Him, but we will also find joy (Psalm 16:11). You cannot commune with God and not have peace and joy. It is too wonderful in His presence to at the same time feel depressed or fearful (Philippians 4:7). If we are to rejoice always, then we must always be in His presence (Psalm 91:1; Isaiah 26:3). That’s not physically workable, but it is spiritually possible. It begins with immersing yourself in prayer and studying God’s Word every day.
If life is feeling overwhelming for you, I am confident it’s because you are neglecting your time with God. I’ve read numerous accounts where this has been true for others, and I have experienced it time and again in my life. When we neglect to prioritize time with God, finding joy becomes impossible (John 15:4-5). There is no joy outside of Christ (John 15:11). You can fake it all you want, but that will only make you feel worse.
If you are intent on finding joy, there’s no substitute for beginning your day in prayer and study of God’s Word. We need to make enough time to pray with passion and depth and to read with understanding. Five minutes between breakfast and brushing your teeth will not cut it.
The amount of joy you have in your life will be proportionate to the amount of time you dedicate to God. If you give Him only your leftovers, don’t expect Him to turn it into a feast. God draws near to those who draw near to Him (James 4:8). If you want to live a life that matters, begin by giving the Lord the first and best hours of each day He entrusts to you. Finding joy is as simple as that.