5 Ways to Remain Joyful in the Journey Even When It’s Hard

 

5 ways to remain joyful in the journey

5 Ways to Remain Joyful in the Journey Even When It’s Hard

Life happens. We all endure hardships in our lives and trying times can be overwhelming. God tells us to always remain joyful (Philippians 4:4). But how do we do that when circumstances weigh heavily upon our shoulders and each step we take may seem like we are going uphill against a pile of rocks?

The answer to every problem we face is grounded in the word of God and this is no different. We also need to see joy as different from happiness. Joy is the deep abiding presence of God. He is with us no matter what. Our emotions may fluctuate, but the Lord is always there to strengthen us and remind us of His love. Joy is the assurance of faith.

 Here are 5 ways we can stay joyful in the journey of life no matter what obstacles comes our way:

1. Put God first. When we let God control our lives, we reap the blessing of His hand. His peace, comfort and joy will be allowed to permeate our souls, as well as having our needs met.  

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33 NKJV).

2. Focus on the positive. Difficult and tragic situations can make life seem impossible to bear, but continually dwelling on how bad things are only brings depression.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things (Philippians 4:8).

3. Do something for others. The best way to take our minds off our problems is to help someone else who is going through bad times.

Let each of you look not only for his own interest, but also for the interests of others (Philippians 2:4).

4. Pray. Staying in contact with our heavenly Father opens the door for Him to give us the answer to what we are seeking.

Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray. My voice you shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up (Psalm 5:1-3).

5. Take one day at a time. When we try to figure things out on our own, we can become confused which leads to wrong decisions. Trusting God with each new day and listening to His direction will give answers we never could have found on our own.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:4-5).

Jesus tells us difficult times will come, not because He sends them, but because we have an enemy who wants to destroy us. But he also commands His followers to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).

With the overcomer on our side, we can’t lose, but it’s up to us to stay connected to Him so that His power can transform any situation we encounter.

Join the conversation and share other verses you stand on to remain joyful in the journey.

5 ways to stay joyful in the journey of life (click to share on X)

 

 

The Pre-Incarnate Christ and His Body's Eternal Change

 

The Pre-Incarnate Christ and His Body's Eternal Change

by Barbara Latta

This is a chapter from my book, Redemption, the Heartbeat of Christmas, What the Birth of Christ Means to the World. This book is not only about Christmas, it is about why Jesus appeared as He did.  Jesus was born so He could die and rise from the dead. He was born so we could have Easter.

The Word of God became flesh for us, but that change also affected Him. 

Age changes us. Because of our Eden ancestors our bodies degenerate. We do all we can to physically young. Nips and tucks, creams and lotions, hair dyes and make-up provide temporary fixes. 

But we can also change for the better mentally and emotionally when we learn from our youthful experiences. We can grow in wisdom.

Every day after we are born our bodies start to deteriorate. We don’t see the effects of this change right away because babies and children’s bodies don’t reflect wrinkles and sags. 

The result of sin is in our DNA. Thankfully these aging physical changes are not eternal. One day we will receive an immortal, age-immune body but for now we must live with the fallen flesh we inherited.

What about the physical body of Jesus? He exchanged His heavenly form for a limited physical body, yet His had no fallen nature. His substance altered when He left the presence of the Father to live on earth.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

Jesus existed in eternity past as the Word of God (John 1:1). He was there at the creation of the world. In the Old Testament, He showed up as the Angel of the Lord. He visited Abraham and Sarah, Hagar talked with Him in the desert, He wrestled with Jacob, and He stood before Joshua with a drawn sword.

He was forever with God and is God, yet He was willing to lay aside the benefits of deity to become a human.

7 Lessons From the Book of Nehemiah to Help Us Fulfill Our Assignment on Earth

 

by Barbara Latta

Do you ever get confused about your purpose in life? What assignment do you feel God wants you to accomplish?

Well, our first desire should be to glorify God in all we do (1 Corinthians 10:31). As we give Him the glory, we can learn a lot from Nehemiah about fulfilling the objective God has called us to achieve.

For example, I feel called to write. I didn’t pursue this plan in my younger years, but I never had a settled feeling until I started to seek this goal. Each of us has reason to be here. Until we discover that calling, we will not be fulfilled.

These 7 lessons can help you define your purpose in life.

What the World Needs Now is Love

 

by Barbara Latta

There’s an old song that states, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love.” The truth is the world doesn’t just need love now; the world has always needed love.

The political fireballs burning now spit sparks across the land. Opinions fly based on which news cast was watched.  We can debate these happenings without a solution until the blaze burns hotter because governments can’t transform a person’s heart.

While programs and laws can help bring temporary change, only the Lord God Almighty, who created the heavens, the earth, and humanity has the answer.

And the answer is repentance and humility toward Him. Violence stems from hatred, and hatred is born from a soul that is separated from God.

We throw the word love around like it’s a catch phrase for all kinds of feelings. We love our families, our dog, chocolate, or our car. Each of these have a different attachment to our lives, but we reference them with the same word.

What is real love?

4 Ways Fear Influences Us and Solutions for Peaceful Thoughts

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

We have all faced fear at some time in our lives. The violence affecting our world today can instill apprehension if we allow these images to take precedence over our thoughts.

If we give in, anxiety can deter us from success in our lives and can cause physical health problems.

Here are 4 ways fear influences us:

Change Your Thinking About Goals and Resolutions to Achieve Better Success

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Do you get a little frustrated or discouraged each January when you read blogs and articles about new ways to enhance your life? We may feel as if it didn’t do any good last year, so why bother to set a new goal.

Our emotions can grow downtrodden when we view change through the lens of what other people are doing and have accomplished. Photos of toned exercise gurus, AI models, and organizational queens draw us to compare and know we can never reach the pinnacle of success we see.

But we shouldn’t depend upon another human or a robot image to be our savior. The only time we are called to emulate another person is if they are following Christ. And even then, we should use discernment, as Christian people still fail at times.

Our goal or resolution list can be one that provides encouragement and success rather than depression and failure. Whatever you wish to accomplish this year, support that goal with God’s Holy Word. Failure comes when we put pressure on ourselves for change. Most resolutions people make are based on behavior modification which is determined by our own willpower. We can grow weary of trying.

Rather than concentrating on what WE need to do to improve the way we live, we can focus on what JESUS already did for us.

Maybe It's Time to Pause

 

This week we are honored to hear from Jeanne Doyon. I met Jeanne a few years ago through several writing websites we both participate in. Her writing has been a great blessing to me. She shares about pausing to refresh yourself in the Lord. What better way to start a new year than to let go of the hectic schedules of the holiday season. Links to her website and other teaching are in her bio. Please take the time to visit these resources and you can be inspired to find refreshment for your soul. 

Maybe it's Time to Pause.

@jeannedoyon

@barbaralatta

            Were your holidays harried? Life feeling a little out of control? Too many distractions and not enough brain cells? Can you relate? With the holidays behind us and the new year before us, I'm hoping for some space to refresh my spirit. This past year was challenging for me too. The winter season is the perfect time to recharge and reflect. Maybe it's time to pause.

            Here in New England, winter is beautiful yet very stark. Daylight retreats by 4:00. The trees are gray and bare against the blue sky. We bundle up in coats, scarves, gloves, and hats just to get the mail. Travel becomes discretionary depending on the road conditions. Yet the crisp beauty is unmatched when freshly fallen snow clings to tree branches and glistens like diamonds across the yard.

            To me, winter is the perfect time to enjoy my home while watching snow fall. It's a natural slow-down my body needs while looking forward to porch time and my gardens. Because in the stillness, I can hear God's voice a bit easier. My heart can pause. My mind rest. Renewal comes.

            God's order of creation rotates through budding life, growth, fading strength, and dormancy. The good news is, even in the sleepiness of winter, new life is coming.