Searching for Joy - Encouragement for Today

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Natalie Abbott September 30, 2024

Searching for Joy
NATALIE ABBOTT

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

I’ve been on the lookout for joy all week.

My oldest son, Josiah, left for college recently, and I feel his absence deeply. He’s off living his life, following his next step. In my mind, I know I should be rejoicing. But my heart is struggling to do so. It’s like a part of me moved away when he did. And I’m having trouble finding joy.

Still, Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

It feels ironic, maybe even a bit hypocritical, to encourage you to rejoice when rejoicing is what I’m struggling to do. But maybe God, in His mercy, has me in the thick of this struggle right now because you might also be in the thick of a similar one. Maybe you’re having trouble rejoicing in some circumstance — a diagnosis, a difficulty, a relationship. I pray I can walk tenderly with you through this verse, knowing joy can sometimes feel elusive.

I agree with the verse in my mind (I have so many reasons to rejoice in the Lord!), yet in my heart, I feel affronted. Can I make myself rejoice? Can I say this verse with any real honesty?

Let me be clear: I want deep joy. I’m not sure how to get there, but I’m willing to try!

The first thing I’m doing is being honest with God about this struggle and fighting for joy with God’s Truth. Here’s my approach:

I confess my inability and unwillingness to rejoice.

I ask God to help me find my joy in Him.

I preach Philippians 4:4 to myself — all day long. When the waves of sadness roll over me, when someone asks if I miss Josiah or how I’m holding up, when my hurting heart swells to bursting, I speak these words to my soul: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

And here’s the thing — it’s helping. Significantly.

God is always faithful to meet me in His Word. They are His true words that I need when things are hard, when I’m not feeling joy, when I feel anxious about my circumstances, or when I just need direction. This is why I keep on memorizing His words — they are for me. Right now and always. I hope that as you memorize them, they would become His words for you also.

Whether you’re feeling completely empty or your heart is already full of joy, will you join me in the search for joy? Let’s discover God’s heart for us in Philippians 4:4 and move our joy meter in the right direction. I want that! Do you?

God, I long to rejoice in You and to overflow with deep joy that comes from You. Open my eyes to see all You have to teach me. Renew my mind with Your Truth. Overflow my heart with contagious joy. I praise and thank You that this is Your heart for me and that You will aid me in this journey. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Transform your heart and mind by memorizing God’s Word with Natalie Abbott and Vera Schmitz’s new Bible study, Dwell on These Things.

ENGAGE

Memorize Philippians 4:4 with this Scripture art download! Save this art as your phone lock screen and use the first letters of each word from Philippians 4:4 to practice this verse on the go.

Enter to WIN your very own copy of the Bible study book, Dwell on These Things by Natalie Abbott and Vera Schmitz. To celebrate this book, their publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and then notify each one in the comments section by Monday, October 7, 2024.}