Choosing Joy: Embracing God’s Presence No Matter the Circumstance
If there’s one thing I know about the world we live in, it’s that everyone is on a relentless search for happiness. We chase it in all kinds of ways—through career success, financial security, vacations that offer a temporary escape, quality time with loved ones, or even achieving academic milestones. I’ve done the same. And for a while, those moments do feel good. But let’s be honest: that kind of happiness tends to fade when life takes a turn—when the job becomes stressful, the bills pile up, relationships strain or unexpected setbacks knock the wind out of us.
That’s because happiness is tied to our circumstances. It rises and falls depending on what’s happening around us. But I’ve come to learn something deeper—something that anchors me even when the storms come. That “something” is joy. And not just any joy, but the kind that God cultivates in us through His Spirit. A joy that isn’t shaken by bad news, disappointments, or seasons of uncertainty.
Author and pastor Sam Storms said it beautifully:
“Joy is not necessarily the absence of suffering, it is the presence of God.”
Those words resonate with me so deeply. They remind me that joy doesn’t require life to be perfect—it only requires us to be rooted in the One who is.
One of the most powerful examples of this truth is found in Habakkuk 3:17–18:
“Though the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.“
Those words hit differently when life feels empty, doesn’t it? Habakkuk wasn’t rejoicing because his circumstances were good—he rejoiced despite them. That’s the supernatural kind of joy God invites us into. It’s not reactive joy. It’s resilient joy. And it’s a fruit of the Holy Spirit that grows when we surrender our lives to Him.
I’ll be honest—this hasn’t always come easily for me. I’ve had seasons where joy felt more like a concept than a lived reality. But God has been patient, working in me little by little. He teaches me to choose joy not just when life makes sense but especially when it doesn’t.
Jesus said something powerful in John 15:10–11:
“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.“
That’s the heart of it. Joy flows from abiding in Christ—staying connected to Him through prayer, obedience, and trust. It’s not a feeling we manufacture. It’s a divine gift He plants in us and nurtures over time.
And let me tell you, this joy is powerful. It lifts us above adversity. It steadies our hearts when life gets shaky. It reminds us that no matter what we’re facing, we don’t face it alone. When I feel that joy rising within me, even in challenging moments, it’s like a quiet reassurance from God that He’s still in control—and I can rest in that.
One of the scriptures that continues to guide me is 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18:
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.“
These aren’t just nice words—they’re a spiritual strategy. Choosing to rejoice, staying in prayer, and cultivating gratitude are ways we keep our hearts tuned to God’s joy. The Apostle Paul also encourages us in Romans 12:12:
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Notice the connection between hope, patience, and prayer? They’re all linked to joy. The more I lean into hope and stay in conversation with God, the more joy I feel taking root.
Now, I won’t sugarcoat it—life can be heavy. We experience loss, pain, disappointment, and deep heartache. God sees all of it. He doesn’t dismiss our pain. In fact, He invites us to bring it to Him. One of my favorite invitations from Jesus is found in Matthew 11:28:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
That’s His heart for us. He doesn’t want us carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders. He wants us to bring our weariness, our tears, our frustrations—and in exchange, He offers rest and joy.
So here’s the truth I hold onto: it is not God’s intention for us to live joyless lives, dragging through each day just trying to survive. His desire is that we experience continuous joy—not through striving but through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.
God’s joy is available to us today. Right now. In the middle of the mess, the uncertainty, and even the silence. Jesus tells us in John 16:24:
“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask, and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.“
That promise gives me so much hope. It reminds me that I can ask for His joy. A joy that transforms my perspective on life and my approach to navigating the world.
And friend, this joy isn’t just for me—it’s for you too. You don’t have to wait for your circumstances to change before you embrace it. Joy begins when we lean into God, abide in Him, and allow His Spirit to shape our perspective.
If you’re ready to deepen your faith and reflect God’s character in every season, I invite you to explore the fruit of the Spirit.
👉 Download Fruitful Living: A Bible Study Guide to the Fruit of the Spirit and start cultivating the kind of joy that the world can’t give—and can’t take away.
May the joy of the Lord be your strength, your anchor, and your testimony.
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