Dwell on These Things: Transform Your Heart and Mind by Memorizing God’s WordSample

Searching for Joy

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

My oldest son left for college a few short days ago, and I feel his absence deeply—after school, at our table, at church. He’s not here. He’s off living his life, following his next step. This move is right and good. He’s so completely ready. In my mind, I know I should be rejoicing. But this momma’s 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.

It feels ironic, maybe even a bit hypocritical, to encourage you to rejoice when rejoicing is the very thing I’m struggling to do. But maybe, just 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. Maybe this is a raw place for you. I pray I can walk tenderly with you through this verse, knowing joy can feel elusive at times. That’s how it feels for me right now.

I agree with Philippians 4:4 in my mind (I have so many reasons to rejoice in the Lord!), yet in my heart, I feel affronted. I’m knocked down. Can I make myself rejoice? Can I say this verse with any real honesty? At first read it bothers me that Paul commanded rejoicing. It feels like he shouldn’t. It feels like Paul is following me around as I recite this verse, poking his bony finger straight at my heart, telling me to do the very thing I can’t find in myself to do: Rejoice. And he’s relentless. He repeats it: Rejoice!

What’s an honest person to do? Fake it ‘til I make it?

Let me be clear: I want that joy. Like really, really! I’m not over here shaking my head with my heels dug in saying, “No way am I going to rejoice!” Quite the opposite. I want deep joy in my heart. I’m not sure how to get there, but I’m willing to try!

So, here’s the first thing I’m doing: being honest with God about this struggle.

For the past couple of mornings, I’ve been getting up and fighting for joy with God’s truth. Here’s my approach:

1. I confess my inability and even unwillingness to rejoice.
2. I ask God to help me find my joy in Him.
3. I preach this verse to myself. Like all day long. When the waves and breakers of sadness roll over me, when someone asks if I miss Josiah or how I’m holding up, when my hurting heart swells to burst, I speak these words to my soul: “Rejoice in the Lord, always!” What’s that? Having trouble? “ I will say it again: REJOICE!”

That’s it. And here’s the thing: it is helping. Significantly.

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

So, here’s my ask: Whether you’re feeling completely empty or your heart is already full of joy, will you join me in the search for joy?

Read Philippians 4:4. Confess your struggle to rejoice, ask God to help you find your joy in Him, and then preach this verse to your own heart throughout the day.