Have you ever had one of those days where it seems like nothing can go right?
The day I traveled from Florida to Hawaii to visit my fiance was one of those days. There was an accident on the way to the airport that made me late, getting through security took twice as long as normal, my first flight to California was delayed for no apparent reason, and when I finally boarded the plane, I was seated next to a mom and her screaming baby. I assumed we’d be served a meal since the flight was 5 1/2 hours long, but we weren’t. The screaming baby and I both got very hangry. The delay forced me to run to my second 6 hour flight to Honolulu and grab a sandwich from Subway really quickly along the way. When I boarded the second plane I realized how wrong I went by bringing a chicken teriyaki sub on a plane with little ventilation and lots of annoyed people sitting close to each other. It smelled so bad. People started commenting. I couldn’t even eat my sub because I didn’t want everyone to trace their anger back to seat 29C!

I landed in Hawaii hungry, tired, embarrassed and smelling like warm teriyaki sauce. Did everything go according to plan? No. Was I honestly happy? No, not really. Was I joyful? You bet! My heart was full of joy and love because I was with my fiance. That’s the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is an emotion based on happenings, but joy is a state of being based on what’s in your heart. 

An apostle named Paul wrote a letter to the Philippians that is known as “the letter of joy” in the New Testament of the Bible. Paul uses the word “joy” 16 times in just 4 chapters! Over and over again he says things like, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4 ESV). You’d think this guy was writing from a beautiful mountain top during sunset on a full stomach of delicious food, right!? Well, that couldn’t be further from Paul’s circumstances. Paul is actually writing on and on about joy while locked up in prison.

How is Paul so full of joy when his life seems to be going so wrong? Paul said, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13 ESV). Paul learned that he could find joy in the Lord in both the good times and the bad. Since Paul’s joy comes from God in his heart, it is not dependent on what happens to him or his environment.

Like Paul, you can also choose joy. No matter what is going on in life, you can strive to have the same joyful mindset and heart as Paul. 
He discussed choosing joy in his letter to the Philippians in three ways:

1. Pray
Paul found joy in prayer even when he was chained and bound in prison. Next time you find yourself lacking joy, try connecting to God in prayer! It brings joy to know someone who loves you is listening.

2. Be thankful 
When negative emotions and situations start to overtake your joy, think about what you have to be thankful for. 

3. Trust God
Paul trusted God to give him the strength to persevere through challenging times in prison. You can battle doubt, fear, anxiety, and other feelings that arise in bad situations with trust and faith in God. 

Finding joy in the Lord doesn’t mean life will be perfect. Life will still have its challenges, heartbreaks, tragedies and setbacks. But finding joy in the Lord means that you will choose to focus your heart on God — who is always is with you, always listening to your prayers, and always loves you.

TALK IT OUT 
Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.
Q1: Introduce yourself and share one thing you are thankful for.
Q2: Who is the most joyful person you know? What are they like? 
Q3: How difficult is it for you to be thankful when life isn’t going your way? 
Q4: What does it mean to find the joy of the Lord during challenging times?
Q5: How does your attitude towards a situation change when you have trust in God?
Q6: We learned Paul chose joy by praying, being thankful, and trusting God. Which of these tactics could you try this week to find joy? How would that look in your every day life?

READING PLAN FOR FINDING JOY
READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY FOR THE NEXT TEN DAYS
Philippians 4:4-7
Philippians 4:10-13
Philippians 1:3-7
Philippians 1:12-13
Philippians 1:18-19
James 1:2-3
1 Peter 1:8-9
Romans 15:13
Romans 5:1-5
Romans 12:10-12

Do the following with each passage: 
ASK – God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down, inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you.

READ – the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.

REFLECT – on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own relationships and community experience?

RESPOND – to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered in circles.

Chelsea Babcock
Chelsea is passionate about her job at Leaders Following Christ, spending time with family, and animals. She lives in Wellington, Florida with her 3 cockatiels, 2 dogs, and mini horse where she enjoys spending time with family and kids, and accidentally adopting animals in need that cross her path.