Receive Joy and Peace (even when life hurts)

We can’t earn peace, joy, and security, nor can we find it in ourselves or our surroundings. But we can receive it, even in our most difficult seasons.

We can't earn peace, joy, and security, nor can we find it in ourselves or our surroundings. But we can receive it, even in our most difficult seasons. #looktoJesus Share on X

Sunlight danced on the walls as I struggled to keep my eyes open. In those twilight moments between deep sleep and fully awake, a film reel kept running through my mind. It was filled with concerns of the past days and apprehension at the coming ones. But breaking into that stream like sunlight through clouds came thoughts of Jesus and light.

Jesus is the light. He brings joy and security. Joy and security, peace amid struggles, a sense of well-being when life hurts. In the hush of the early morning, my semiconscious mind came to rest there and held on for dear life.

Difficult Seasons

It had been a difficult season. “Let’s just run away,” I’d beg my husband, “just for a couple nights. Please!” Yet I knew that wasn’t reasonable or possible.

Responsibilities kept piling on. Hurts kept adding up. Getting away wasn’t on the table, so I turned to other means of salving the pain and exhaustion I felt. Shows, music, hobbies, chores, nothing seemed to do the trick. In fact, they only stretched my nerves further as I filled my days with activities and distractions that took away from the time I needed to fulfill my obligations and process what God might have in store for me. Late nights ensued; my exhaustion increased.

Psalms

I’ve long wrestled with establishing a healthier daily schedule, but overwhelm always seems to win, driving me to seek more diversions. This particular morning, though, dawned differently. I had recently renewed my morning time with the Lord and had been praying hard, seeking His wisdom and guidance as well as His strength.

In Psalms I found repeated reminders that our joy and security are found in the Lord.

“You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and new wine abound.
I will both lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety.” Psalm 4:7-8

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them shout for joy forever.
May you shelter them,
and may those who love your name boast about you.” Psalm 5:11

“But I will sing of your strength
and will joyfully proclaim
your faithful love in the morning.
For you have been a stronghold for me,
a refuge in my day of trouble.
To you, my strength, I sing praises,
because God is my stronghold—
my faithful God.” Psalm 59:16-17

Am I Receiving His Gifts?

The relationship we have with Him offers us great security and abundant joy. But as I meditated on these scriptures, I wondered, am I receiving those gifts?

The relationship we have with Jesus Christ offers us great security and abundant joy. But are we receiving those gifts? Share on X

I often fill my time with distractions—activities and other things to avoid facing the reality of my situation. I do until I’m near exhaustion, believing I’m handling/controlling the situation.

When life becomes chaotic, I look to make joy and peace instead of looking to the Lord to be my joy and peace.

When life becomes chaotic, I look to make joy and peace instead of looking to the Lord to be my joy and peace. #receivejoyandpeace Share on X

Every day I read the Bible, I hold in my hands the answer to experiencing joy and security. But still I failed to receive it.

I’ve  tried to avoid the hurt by pretending it wasn’t there. I ran and hid behind entertainment and busyness, believing ignoring the hard stuff would bring peace.

I’ve tried to be strong enough to handle my struggles. I worked long and hard and willed myself to carry the burden well, believing I could make my joy.

Instead of accepting the joy and peace the Lord offers me in the middle of the chaos and anxiety, I’ve tried to salve my pain with things that will never last and in ways that always fail (eventually).

Receive Joy and Peace

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a good book or show, hobbies and chores, your favorite drink or dessert or trying your best. But are you using it to hide from reality? Are distractions becoming your security? Are you counting on your strength to see you through?

Aren’t those idols? 

We can’t work hard enough to secure peace or will it enough to receive joy. But both joy and peace are attainable in even the most difficult of circumstances. Although I believe that with all my heart, I often fail to receive them because I depend on the wrong things. Perhaps you do too. 

When we find ourselves overwhelmed, worn out, and anxious, instead of looking inward or outward to salve the wounds, let’s look upward. See the light. Jesus is Light.

Receive it. Receive Him. Let Him bring you joy and peace in your life, right in the midst of the hurt.

Overwhelmed, worn out, anxious? See the light. Jesus is Light. Receive it. Receive Him. Let Him bring you joy and peace in your life, right in the midst of the hurt. Share on X

Reflections: What have you used to try to salve the hurt in your life? Jesus freely offers joy, peace, and security, but are you receiving it?