7 Things to Do When You’re Having Trouble Finding Joy

1. Seek God’s presence through prayer.

One of the most powerful ways to rediscover joy is through prayer. Communicating with God helps you shift your focus from your problems to God’s powerful presence. In Philippians 4:6-7, the Bible advises: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Prayer is a direct line of communication to God. It’s a wonderful opportunity to talk with God and listen to God’s messages to you. Since God cares about all of your thoughts and feelings, you can pray about everything that’s on your mind and heart, anytime you like.

The more you pray, the closer your relationship with God can become. That will help you notice God’s presence with you in all situations. Psalm 16:11 reveals that your source of joy is God’s presence: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” When you pray, you open yourself up to receiving joy directly from God, no matter what type of circumstances you’re going through. By focusing on God’s presence with you, you gain a fresh perspective that empowers you to experience joy in any circumstances.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/tommaso79 

2. Immerse yourself in God’s Word.

The Bible is a source of eternal wisdom and encouragement. Spending time reading and meditating on God’s messages to you in the Bible can bring significant joy into your life. Psalm 19:8 points out: “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.” By regularly engaging with God’s Word, you remind yourself of God’s promises and his complete and unconditional love for you. Doing so can transform your mind and fill your heart with joy, even in difficult times. When you immerse yourself in God’s Word, you gain a deeper understanding of God’s character and his plan for your life. The Bible is full of living words that you can apply to your life to help you find joy in any situation.

As Hebrews 4:12 says: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Consider incorporating Bible study into your daily routine. Start your day with a devotional, join a Bible study group, or use a reading plan to explore different books of the Bible. Reflect on verses that resonate with you and apply their teachings to your life. The Word of God is a powerful tool that can give you direction, comfort, and inspiration, helping you live every part of your life with a joyful heart.

Memorizing scripture, as well, can be incredibly beneficial. If you commit verses to memory, you can recall them in times of need, drawing strength and encouragement from God’s promises. For example, recalling Romans 15:13 (“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”) can remind you that God will give you both hope and joy as you trust him.

Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Kelly Sikkema

3. Cultivate a grateful heart.

Practicing gratitude is a powerful way to find joy. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, the Bible encourages you to give thanks in all circumstances: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” By consciously counting your blessings and expressing thanks for both the big and small things in your life, you can shift your focus from what you lack to what you have. This change in perspective can draw your attention to God and help you find joy from him.

Practicing gratitude involves an intentional effort to focus on the positive aspect of your life and recognize that God has been at work in every situation. Start a gratitude journal to record your daily blessings and moments of joy. Reflect on these entries regularly to remind yourself of God’s faithful provision for you. Express your gratitude through prayer regularly, thanking God for his goodness and grace. Approach your relationships with a thankful heart, recognizing the good in other people and expressing appreciation for them. Gratitude shifts your focus from yourself to the blessings around you, creating a ripple effect of joy that touches every part of your life.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Djordje Djeric 

4. Pursue God’s wonder.

When you actively look for the wonder of God’s work in the world around you, you can be filled with awe that directs your attention to God, filling you with joy. Psalm 66:5 invites you to: “Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!” Actively pursuing God’s wonder involves looking for inspiration – from spending time in nature to learn more about the Creator from creation, to communicating with God in prayer and meditation.

Looking for wonder can be a powerful way to reconnect with joy, since it shifts your focus from your immediate concerns to the grander perspective of noticing God’s work. The more you look for God’s wonder, the more you’ll find enjoyable experiences that increase the amount of joy in your life. It’s easy to discover God’s wonder, because as Psalm 65:8 says: “The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” Encounters with wonder allow you to see your life and the world from an inspiring perspective that help you find joy from God’s work around you day by day.

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Bobby Stevenson 

5. Worship God.

You can find joy whenever you worship God, since worship shifts your focus from your circumstances to God’s greatness. Psalm 100:2 encourages you to: “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Expressing your love and adoration for God can fill your heart with joy. Worship allows you to experience the joy of the Lord, which Nehemiah 8:10 declares is your strength. Regular worship can help you cultivate a joyful spirit, since it reminds you of God’s love and power. Attend church regularly to worship with others and magnify your joy together in community worship.

But don’t just worship once a week in church; plan to worship every single day by incorporating worship into your daily routine. Enjoy praising God through worship music, worship God in prayer, and find other ways to worship, as the Holy Spirit leads you. As you pour out your heart in worship, you invite God’s presence into your life, filling you with the joy that comes from connecting with God’s presence.

Photo Credit: Jon Tyson/Unsplash

6. Enjoy friendships with other believers.

Friendships with other believers can significantly impact your joy. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages you: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Spending time with your fellow Christians will give you valuable support as you try to find more joy in your life. Sharing your burdens and joys with others can lift your spirit and remind you that you are not alone in your journey.

Spend time with people at your church as much as you can – through worship services, Bible studies, prayer groups, events, and programs. You’ll meet people who can become new friends, and as you build those new friendships, you’ll find fresh joy in your life. Friendships with other believers allow you to learn from each other’s experiences and grow together in faith. In the process of growing closer to God together, you’ll all experience more joy.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Lyndon Stratford 

7. Help people in need.

Helping people in need takes your focus off your own problems and onto God’s love flowing through you as you serve others. In the process, God will bless you with joy. Acts 20:35 points out: “…. we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” When you step outside of our own struggles to help those in need, you often find that your own burdens feel lighter. Serving others not only brings joy to their lives but also enriches your own. It gives you a sense of purpose and fulfillment that can be deeply gratifying. Jesus modeled a life of service, demonstrating that practicing compassion can lead to joy. By following Jesus’ example, you can experience the joy that comes from making a positive impact on others.

Consider volunteering at your church or elsewhere in your community on a regular basis and helping people you know when they need help in a crisis. Look for opportunities where you can use your talents and resources to bless others. Acts of kindness, no matter how small, can make a significant positive impact and bring joy to both the giver and the receiver. Serving others also aligns your heart with God’s desires. When you serve with a joyful spirit, you reflect God’s love to the world and become an instrument of God’s grace. This not only brings joy to others, but also deepens our own sense of joy. 

In conclusion, finding joy in difficult times can be challenging, but by seeking a closer relationship with God you can discover a deep and abiding joy that transcends your circumstances. Steps you can take to find more joy in your life include seeking God’s presence through prayer, immersing yourself in God's Word, cultivating a grateful heart, pursuing God's wonder, worshiping God, enjoying friendships with other believers, and helping people in need. Remember, joy is not a temporary emotion like happiness, but a profound sense of well-being that comes from knowing and trusting in God. By embracing these practices, you can experience the fullness of joy that God intends for you, regardless of the challenges you face.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Highwaystarz-Photography