How to Find Biblical Joy When You Don't Feel Like Fighting for Joy

"God does not mean for us to be passive. He means for us to fight the fight of faith, --the fight for joy. This is war. If we remain passive, we surrender the field to him." ― John Piper 

I was going through one of the hardest seasons I had ever faced. There was not one part of my life that had not been affected, and it felt like I was quickly losing the battle. My marriage, health, family life, place of ministry, church life, and mental state were all under attack, and I did not think I even wanted to fight to have biblical joy in each of these areas anymore. I was tired. I felt like I was finished. 

Thankfully, the Holy Spirit would not leave me alone. Down deep in my heart, I knew that my "being finished" was not an option as a follower of Christ. I had to somehow figure out a way to persevere in my calling to be a wife, a mom, a servant of God, and a member of the body of Christ. I had to do what it took to take care of my physical and mental health. But how could I do that? How could I persevere when I had absolutely no strength left and no desire to? Frightened by the place I found myself and by how I was feeling, there was only one thing I could think of to do. I began to pray a simple prayer: "Lord, please change my heart!" 

In the quiet of sleepless nights, when my lack of desire to persevere seemed to be the loudest, I began to pray this prayer. When the emptiness of going through the motions of daily tasks with no emotion or drive exhausted me, I would pray that simple prayer. 

"Lord, please change my heart. Lord, please change my heart. Please help me to want to persevere." 

I would get up each morning and choose to put one foot in front of another and do the next thing, but my heart was not in any of it -- until suddenly it WAS! Over time, I felt a shift take place, and my heart began to soften. The desire to persevere slowly began to bubble up inside of me with fresh strength! The mental choice to walk in obedience one step at a time, even when I did not want to, turned into a heart's desire that empowered each step to do all for the glory of God once again. I was finally able to move forward with a heart fully surrendered to God. I was finally able to experience biblical joy once again. God had answered my desperate prayer. 

I am so thankful! 

Verses to Help You When You Don't Feel Like Fighting for Joy 

• "Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice!" Psalm 130:1
• "All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes." Psalm 38:9-11 
• "You will find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart" Jeremiah 29:13 
• "I will give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I will remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that is God-willed, not self-willed. I will put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands" Ezekiel 36:26-27 

During the difficult season I describe, I was introduced to the Prayer of Lament and began learning how to pray this type of prayer. I learned that it is okay to "complain" to God and tell him all that I was feeling and why I felt the way I did. I learned that it was okay to tell him I was tired and that I did not think I could persevere any longer. There was something about this that was very freeing. I did not have to feel weighed down with guilt for how I was feeling anymore, and I could actually tell God about it. He was strong enough to carry it all! This kind of praying began the process of my heart changing. After pouring out my heart to him, I asked him to change my heart! He reminded me of all the times he had been faithful in my life, and he began to bring to mind all his precious promises that are found in his Word. This filled me with the joy and strength that I needed to persevere. 

What Good Comes When You Don't Feel Like Fighting for Joy 

• We reach a point of helplessness and vulnerability that can be laid before God, and the following prayers are heartfelt, honest prayers of desperation. When we can see and acknowledge that we are desperate and have lost our desire to persevere, we have begun the process of allowing God to do work to revive us. A job that only he can do.
• We have the opportunity to experience how much we need God in order for our hearts to change. This is the only way we can experience his life and joy. These are things that only he can provide.
• We have the privilege of going through such a life-changing and life-giving experience with God so that we can, in turn, help others look to God and experience the same when they go through similar seasons. 

Find Biblical Joy by Focusing on God

1. Thank Him for Who He is:

Father, thank you for being Yahweh-Nissi - The Lord Our Banner". In the same way that you were a banner or rallying place in Exodus 17, giving victory over the Amalekites, you are my banner and rallying place! You are helping me fight this intense battle, and you are the One who gives me victory! I am so grateful!

2. Thank Him for His Faithfulness:

Father, thank you for all the victories you have enabled me to have over the years and the battles you have won. Thank you for being a rallying place! You have been so faithful. 

3. Thank Him for His Promises:

Father, thank you for your promises that you have provided all that we need to fight the battles that take place every single day and for the promises that you are always there to empower us as we fight. You will never leave us. 

4. Thank Him for His Provisions:

Father, thank you for allowing me to be honest with you in prayer and for providing the strength I need when I need it. Thank you for your Word, the Holy Spirit, and for the body of Christ, all gifts from you and provisions that help me to persevere and experience biblical joy.

To learn more about how to choose biblical joy, check out my book "Everyday Prayers for Joy"! 

For weekly encouragement on how to choose biblical joy in all circumstances, subscribe to "Choose Biblical Joy Today"

This article is part of a series by Gina Smith on biblical joy. Here are more of her articles:

How to Find Biblical Joy When You Face Life Changes

How to Find Biblical Joy When You Have Been Treated Unfairly

How to Find Biblical Joy When You Battle Depression

Finding Biblical Joy in Loneliness

How to Find Biblical Joy When Life Doesn’t Look the Way You Thought it Would

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