"I just want you to be happy.”

We have all heard these words before and it is usually said to us in a moment where we typically are not very happy. Recently my mom said this to me, and I replied, “well, I’m not”. So sweet I know. Sorry mom.

I came off cold, but I was being truthful to my mom. In that moment I didn’t feel happy, and she knew that. I could have shared with her that even though I felt tired, beat, emotionally and physically exhausted, I still felt joy because of what Jesus has done for me. 

No one or thing can take that from us.

I want to share my devotional today. “When you’re going through trials it’s impossible to be happy. Your external circumstances won’t allow for it. But when you’re going through trials, it’s very possible to have joy. Your internal hope in God can give you the satisfaction to grow through the greatest of trials”.

John 16:33 Jesus says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

God didn’t tell us life was going to be easy and fun all the time. He told us that we will go through hard times, but that is not for us to be discouraged. He wants us to grow closer to him through our trials. Lean on Him and keep our hope fixed on Him. That is how we survive.

Here is the problem.

If we listen to the world, they tell us about every quick fix in the book. “Medicate, meditate, go for a walk, practice yoga and deep breathing, just lift heavy weights, go shopping, buy a dog, have lunch with a friend.”

These are all amazing tools and blessings for our life, but they won’t solve the problem. They might distract you long enough to where you can suppress your feelings and issues until later you must address them, but it won’t be the resolution. Don’t ignore. Address your feelings and dig through it with biblical truth and godly friends.

Joy will not come automatically, but it will come when we choose to place our hope in Jesus daily.

I encourage and gently remind you to make that decision today.

Today I feel stressed and unsure of the future, but I am going to choose to trust God with my life and know that my future is in His hands. And today I woke up knowing that Jesus Christ died for me on that cross so that I may live. And that itself is enough to bring JOY.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12