How can I find joy during hard times?

When life is beating us up from every side, it seems impossible to find things to be joyful about. The Bible teaches that hard times can refine us, make us better humans, and teach us greater compassion. God says that it's a matter of perspective (1 Peter 1:6-9).

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." —James 1:2-4 (NLT)

Trouble is Coming

Unfortunately, part of being a Christian means that we will face times of difficulty. Why? Even after we're saved by Jesus, we remain human beings with sin all around us. Jesus went through rough times during His earthly ministry, so He gets it.

The Bible talks about people who endured some really, really tough situations and yet found joy in the midst of their pain. Job had everything taken away, and he didn't even do anything wrong. He lost his family, his health, his career, everything he had ever worked for, and he still found things to praise God for (Job 1:21). Can you imagine losing everything yet still praising God?

There are plenty of other examples throughout the Bible of people who went through awful things that we can't even imagine, but they still praised God. Their perseverance made their faith stronger.

"I [Jesus] have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." —John 16:33

Shift Your Perspective

Finding joy in the midst of trials is really a matter of perspective. If you really examine your circumstances, you can find something to be thankful for—even when life seems impossible.

Be thankful for your relationship with God, thankful for the sunshine, thankful for those who love you. Be thankful that you can now relate to those who have gone through the same situation as you.

Try to take a wider view than the current moment. Find the little joys that God has given you in the midst of darkness. Intentionally seek the encouragement that God is sending to you.

Deliberately choosing gratitude leads to praising God for those things. If we're thankful for something, no matter how small, our pain and grief can lighten.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." —James 1:17

A Spiritual Workout

Trials are really awful, yes. And the Bible says that our suffering is not wasted. God uses our difficult times to make us stronger, better, and more mature in our faith. Our spiritual "workout" happens through the trials, conflicts, and burdens we carry.

As we respond to difficulties, we are, in turn, strengthened through God's power. Trials are one way He develops our character and our endurance. We can grow to be strong, resilient, and faithful warriors for God by enduring the fires of adversity, grief, and heartache.

Joy vs. Happiness

It's important to note that joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness is temporary as it depends upon specific circumstances. One minute, you're soaring because you just got a new phone. Next day, it ends up in the lake by accident. Happiness = gone.

Happiness is fleeting, but joy sticks around. For example, if a Christian loved one dies, you may feel tremendous grief and sadness. There's no room for happiness there. But you may find joy in the fact that they now live eternally in Heaven. This type of joy can only be provided by God. Happiness won't get us through hard times in the long run, but joy from God will.

Experiencing God's joy is a choice.

As we live life on this earth, we know that hard times will come. Let's look to our Heavenly Father during those difficulties and remember that no trial lasts forever, but our God-given joy does (Acts 13:52).

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." —Hebrews 12:2

During dark days, remember that Jesus never leaves us—no matter what we are going through. Even while you're suffering, you're being perfected for a greater purpose. Your hurt and pain will not be wasted.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." —James 1:12

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