Life comes with many hard days – grief, struggles, and disappointments on every side, not to mention just pure exhaustion trying to keep up with the many demands weighing on our shoulders. And while we’re making it through the day, it seems a little much to also expect this to be a time to rejoice and be glad. But as God has given us each day, in faith we choose to rejoice and be glad all the same, regardless of our circumstances otherwise.
Perhaps it’s easier to celebrate and be merry when life is going well and everything seems to be going our way. And certainly we should relish and praise God in these moments. But our praise and thanksgiving do not have to wait on these mountaintop experiences.
In fact, we can choose to rejoice and be glad in every day that God has given us. It’s a decision to submit our souls to gratitude and joy that’s not dependent on our feelings at the moment. Rather we center our hearts on God himself because in his presence is the fullness of joy.
To be sure, this is not denying the difficulties we face and the many things that concern us. But in his presence we’re able to see from God’s divine perspective and rest in the gladness his perfect love brings.
Songs, prayer, community, nature, and the like are all ways we can practice joy even during difficult days. This might also include proactively choosing to bring good to others. Whatever it looks like, there’s an intentional act of faith not to let the suffering and pain of this life be the only or loudest voice in our story. We choose instead to keep our eyes fixed on the goodness and glory that God brings.
In the end, this life is filled with many hard and difficult days. Exercise your faith by choosing to rejoice and be glad anyway. This is not putting your head in the sand, but rather learning to rest in the joy of God’s intimate presence.
Photo by Strauss Western on Unsplash
