Clinging To Joy On Tough Days
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
- Philippians 4:4 CSB
Rejoice always. This isn’t always easy to do, is it? In all honesty, rejoicing is hardly ever easy. But friend, I can’t tell you how many times I have thanked God through a tough day and ended that day feeling stronger instead of weaker because of Him.
King David (who wrote more than half of the Psalms) is also known as “a man after God’s own heart” because he clung to the Lord no matter what he was going through. He praised God through the worst and the best of life, in the dark caves of Adullam and the luxurious palaces of Jerusalem. God was his source of joy and his place of utmost security. Just listen to what David writes here, “I call to You from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me, for You have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy. I will dwell in Your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of Your wings. (Psalm 61:2-3 CSB)”
As unnatural as rejoicing can sometimes feel when you are at your wit’s end and your heart is overwhelmed, it’s amazing how quickly God reaches out to us the moment we reach out to Him. It’s amazing how quickly and completely the joy of the Lord can become our place of strength. I have found that when my mind is filled with problems to complain about, if I can turn my attention to even the tiniest of miracles God brought to me that day - I start to feel the joy of the Lord, like a beacon of light, begin to shine inside of me.
Thank you God for the flock of birds that flew overhead this afternoon, it was magical…
Thank you God for the Turkey burger I had for lunch…
Thank you God for the sweet chat I had with my friend today…
Thank you God that I can play worship music and sing my heart out to You anytime I want to. It helps me to stay focused on You. God, help me to stay focused on You… always. There will always be noise and distractions in my life, but You are my source of joy and peace.
“…And do not be worried, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and your stronghold.”
- Nehemiah 8:10 AMP
“And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, he will set you firmly in place and build you up.”
- 1 Peter 5:10 TPT
So beautiful sister, rejoice.
Rejoice even when it feels like the only good part of your day is the fact that it’s over. Ha, we have all had those days! By God’s grace, you made it! Every day God is growing your character, building you up, and making you stronger than ever!
Can we take a moment and pray together?
“Dear God, thank you for this new day. No matter what happens, I am deciding right now to praise You through it, because You are worthy of it! I know situations in life will try to change me and make me less than You created me to be. I reject bitterness in the name of Jesus. I reject ungratefulness and complacency and everything else that can blind me to Your joy that strengthens. There is temptation to spend my days simply reacting to whatever happens, but I was made for more than that. I was created to offer praise to You, and focusing on You will lift me high above my circumstances. God, I am after Your heart. As long as I have You, everything else is (or is sure to be) good with me. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
