We all face challenges and struggles, as did people in the Bible. That doesn't mean we need to worry or be gloomy. Anxiety and unexpected problems seem to push joy away easily. But that is more happiness and not real, lasting joy from God. He wants us to have an inner joy that remains despite outward forces. We discover sources of such joy in Bible people who also faced difficulties. Let's study several to see how they cultivated joy.
1. A Poor Widow and Joy in Trusting God
Financial woes stress us out. One widow felt that stress in the time of the kings of Israel. Read about it in 1 Kings 17:1-9. This widow collected sticks to build a fire and prepare her last meal for her son and herself. She had no hope or joy left. God sent Elijah to her and caused a miracle of endless flour and oil. She listened to Elijah's directions and God's promise. She experienced a miracle. Sometime later, her son stopped breathing. She only had hope in Elijah. She cried out to him, and he prayed, and God restored her son. The woman finally believed, "Now I know that you are a man of God and the word of the Lord from your mouth is true." That kind of faith brings joy. Her words revealed her faith in God's power. When we really trust in God, we let go of worry and doubts. That begins the growth of joy.
Trusting God may seem impossible at times. I experienced a time of financial difficulties, and God amazed us with all he provided. I've seen this repeated in the lives of others countless times.
2. The Shunammite Woman Blessed With Joy through Blessing a Stranger
Read about this remarkable woman in 2 Kings 4. Shunem is a small village in the northern part of Israel. A woman there invited Elisha to dine at her home, and he became a regular visitor. She then chatted with her husband and suggested they make room for him on the roof. Elisha stayed with them when visiting the area. Elisha sought a way to bless her in return for her kindness and ended up blessing her with a son. The son became ill, and Elisha prayed, and God saved his life. At that point, the woman fell at Elisha's feet and bowed. Her gratitude revealed her joy. She had always been kind, but this miracle brought her joy she could not express. That exemplifies Luke 6:38: when you give, it will be given to you. Her gift was life that brought joy. We discover joy in the lives of loved ones.
There is joy in blessing others. Michelle S. spent years in Romania, helping with orphanages, and now sometimes travels there to help with afterschool programs and other needs. Her family goes too. They are always filled with joy.
Read Nehemiah 8:9-10. After supervising the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem after the exile, he had the people listen to God's Word. They wept because they realized they had disobeyed God. But Nehemiah turned their hearts to rejoicing. He explained that the day of reading God's Word is holy, and the joy of the Lord is their strength. He urged them to celebrate and exchange gifts of food to those who have nothing. The word for strength is ma’ōz, and it's a word picture for a fortress. This led to a great feast. Feasts and sharing our blessings should be times to celebrate and rejoice. When you need more joy, open the Bible!
Through moves and struggles, our family always leaned on God. He brought us through or out each time, and we found joy even in the darkest moments.
4. Ruth and Naomi from Grief to New Joy Through New Relationships
In the book of Ruth, two widows, Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth, are headed to Bethlehem, poor and mourning the loss of loved ones. To survive, Ruth gleaned wheat, gathering leftovers behind harvesters. She never complained and gave the best portion to Naomi. The owner of the field, Boaz, noticed her kindness and faithfulness. He invited her to share lunch with him and asked his men to drop extra wheat for her to pick up. Naomi then guided Ruth in turning that connection into a marriage. A new spouse, followed by a baby, brought joy to all of them. When you are lonely, get out and meet new people.
I knew a group of widows with little family when I lived in Miami. They met at church and bonded together, inviting in other widows. Their relationship gave them support and laughter. Good relationships add joy.
Paul faced many hardships, including prison, beatings, being shipwrecked in a storm, and lashes. But he always spoke of joy. His joy came from many sources, especially from how he focused his thoughts:
-He allowed God to work in him. The word in Philippians 2:13 to work in us is energes or energeia and can also be translated revitalize. It's God's power to breathe new life into us.
-Positive outlook. For example, Paul observed that his imprisonment encouraged others to speak out (Philippians 1:14) and helped grow the kingdom.
Adopting these principles will help let go of anxieties and live with more joy.
Many of us are too familiar with problems. I have had four lightning strikes, a few category four hurricanes that did great damage, hail damage, spontaneous combustible fires, and even a sideways tornado in various places where I've lived. I am always grateful for what is saved, especially lives, and I see how God has used those times to strengthen me and my family.
In her nineties, Miriam crossed the Red Sea to freedom as she followed her younger brother Moses and danced and sang. She rejoiced at God's promise she had waited for so long (Exodus 15:20-21). Miriam had helped her mother send Moses off in the Nile to save his life. She formed a connection with Pharaoh's daughter to let her mother nurse Moses. Yet, she waited decades for Moses to lead them. She shows us we are never too old to realize God's promises and respond joyfully.
Another older woman, Anna, waited for many years in the temple and prayed. Widowed for 84 years, she was likely more than 100 years old. She thanked God when she saw Jesus and shared that He was the redeemer of Israel (Luke 2:38). Waiting can be hard, but waiting with hope helps us anticipate future joy and makes waiting easier. Anticipation, even during the months of a pregnancy, can fill us with great joy.
Living life one day at a time, trusting and praising God, is a process that continues throughout our lives. Our perspective is important. Thank God for each day and what it brings in joys and hopes, as well as giving thanks in troubled times for new insights and growth.
7. Poor Macedonians Discover Joy in Giving
Paul tried to share the joy of the good news of Jesus but hit roadblocks. Then God called him, through a dream, to Macedonia. There he and others with him planted churches. The Bereans (Acts 17) had a small synagogue in northern Greece. That meant as few as ten Jewish men. They eagerly listened and examined the Scriptures daily to see if what they heard agreed with the Scriptures. He had also started a church in Thessalonica, but Jews there chased him out. However, he received word that the believers thrived and the church grew. These opportunities brought the Gospel to Europe. We see the joy some of the Macedonians had later, in 2 Corinthians 8:1-12 as they were very poor but begged to give money to help even poorer churches. Paul speaks of the abundance of joy that overflowed in their generosity. Volunteering and helping others still brings givers great joy.
It's a joy to be in a group that studies the Word, online or in person. That strengthens and confirms our faith. It also brings joy in the amazement of learning more about God.
8. Philip's Joy in Following the Holy Spirit
Philip willingly did whatever God asked, or the Holy Spirit led him to do. The Apostles chose Philip and other men to serve tables at their gatherings (Acts 6:5). Persecution started, and that scattered the Apostles and their followers. Philip traveled to the city of Samaria, where crowds listened, and he performed miracles. Not long after this, an angel spoke to Philip and sent him south toward Gaza to a joyful encounter with an Ethiopian court official riding in a chariot. He noticed the man and followed the leading of the Holy Spirit to speak with him. Philip discovered the man was reading the prophet Isaiah. One question turned into the Ethiopians asking to be baptized as they came to some water. As soon as Philip baptized the man, the Holy Spirit transported Philip away. He found himself in Azotus, started preaching there, and continued to Caesarea. The Ethiopian went on his way rejoicing. Later, in Acts 21, Philip is living in Caesarea with his four daughters, who are prophetesses. He hosts Paul and other apostles. Philip was open to hearing the Holy Spirit and willingly followed and preached. God blessed him with a family. We can rejoice when we follow God and His Holy Spirit. It can be an interesting journey but also joyful.
9. Moses, a Life Well-lived and Last Song of Joy
Moses, as a baby, floated in a basket and ended up in the home of Pharaoh. He grew up with great knowledge but murdered an Egyptian in trying to protect his own people. He fled to Midian and became a shepherd until God called out to him from a burning bush to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Moses then became a great leader who spoke to the Israelites for God, passing on the ten commandments and other laws. He led his people for forty years, but because of a moment of anger, God did not allow them to cross the Jordan into the promised land. Moses remained faithful and, at the end of his earthly life, praised God in a song (Deuteronomy 32:1-43). He ended it with words of encouragement to rejoice. He lived a life of ups and downs until God called him. Then he followed God and lived faithfully, a life well-lived. We get one more glimpse of Moses in the New Testament. He stands on a mountain with Moses and Elijah somewhere in Israel. Moses finally stood in the promised land with the promised Savior. We can only imagine his joy.
My father died in peace. As he realized his lungs were collapsing and no medical procedure could help, he smiled and said everything was fine. He'd had a good life a good family, and everything was in order. He had been faithful all his life. It's good to see joy at the end of someone's life and know they have an eternal future of joy.
Choose to study Scriptures on joy and pray for inner joy.
Karen Whiting (www.karenwhiting.com) is the author of more than thirty books for women, families, children, and the military. Her newest book, Growing a Joyful Heart, co-authored with Pam Farrel, shares stories that show how to have inner joy, more joy in relationships, choose joy in all circumstances, and become a joy-giver.
Karen Whitingis a mom, author, international speaker, writing coach, and former television host who loves sharing ideas to strengthen families. She has writtenGrowing a Mother’s Heart: Devotions of Faith, Hope, and Love from Mothers Past, Present, and Futureand 52 Weekly Devotions for Family Prayer, which includes a different way to pray each week plus stories and activities to explore questions children ask about prayer. Her newest book, Growing a Joyful Heart co-authored with Pam Farrel, shares stories that show how to have inner joy, more joy in relationships, choose joy in all circumstances, and become a joy-giver. She loves adventure including camel riding, scuba diving, treetop courses, and white water rafting plus time at home crafting and baking.
