Joy In The Middle (Joy In Every Circumstance)

By: Brittany T.

2020. The year that none of us saw coming. When we made our plans at the start of the year, no one would have predicted how the entire world would turn upside down, and for most of us, how taxing this year would be on our souls.

While some industries have been blessed, our lives have become riddled with insecurity for the majority of us. Unsure of what to expect, we all wait with bated breath for this to end.

Waiting. Now that sounds like Christmas.

We aren’t the first people called to wait on God to intervene. The Bible is overflowing with examples of people who were forced into waiting.

We are a people trapped between two advents desperate for hope, for change. So what can we do with this ugly in between?

We can choose joy.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul offers this comfort to a church eagerly awaiting Christ’s return.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

Rejoice always. Paul instructs us that no matter what, our response as we wait should include joy. “Re-” as a prefix means “again and again.” This implies that Joy isn’t just a one-time affair. It’s a choice to renew our faith in Him over and over again.

Joy is a continual choice in every moment to shift our eyes from the insecurity of our world to the certainty of our God.

So how can we practically “re-joice” no matter what our circumstances hold? 
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1. Understand that joy is our choice. No one can reignite and refuel your joy but you.
2. Know that joy is a fruit of the Spirit that must be both grown and cultivated. We are responsible both for the seeds and the soil of our hearts. We must stand guard, allowing our emotions to direct us as we leave it all at His feet. Like a garden, we must be watered by the word of God and lean into biblical community. Friends can sprinkle us with hope and truth in our dry moments.
3. Pray consistently. Through prayer, God is always available to hold our cares, hopes, and dreams. In exchange, He gifts us His comfort and direction. Uncertainty loses its sting when you are anchored in something immovable. Prayer provides us with the daily bread that we can receive only by going to the table. 
4. Give Thanks. Col 3:2 states, “Set our minds on things above, not on earthly things.” This means that just like a thermostat “sets” the atmosphere, we can use gratitude to set our minds to the right altitude. A heart of gratitude protects us against becoming overwhelmed in our waiting. Giving thanks in every circumstance doesn’t mean you have to enjoy the dark moments, but instead, you decide to search for the light intentionally. Ann Voscamp phrases it like this- “We give thanks to God not because of how we feel, but because of who He is."​

Circumstances will shift and change, but Jesus is our rock, our unchanging foundation. In this ugly in between, choose joy, dear friends. May this season remind us that there are gifts on the other side of our waiting- a deeper relationship with Jesus and habits that enable us to endure through the security of His eternal love.

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A wife and a mom of three girls, Brittany is passionate about connecting her generation to the truth of scripture and the love of God. Diving through the depths of God’s word, she makes theology practical & tangible enough for authentic and abundant living. 

Empowering others through wit, humor, and her bold personality, she uses the Bible to champion women and curate communities - providing space for everyone to be both seen and supported on their faith journey.
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Blog Link- https://brittanyjturner.com/blog/
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