How to find joy in life’s little moments

Joy seems to be one of the most elusive of life experiences.

We often long for it, even though we do not really know what it is. If you were asked to describe or define joy, what would you call it – would you say it is happiness, contentment, peace, amongst other things?

It is probably a bit of all these things, but so much more.

To better understand joy, I think there is no better place to start than in the Bible.

What is joy

There are quite a few verses about joy, while these scriptures do not necessarily define joy, they do give us an idea of what it is and what it is not. They also shed light on the true source of joy.

Perhaps, the biggest characteristic of joy is that is independent of our circumstances.

Our ability to experience joy is not tied to how we feel or what we are going through.

I think this is probably one of the hardest facts to acknowledge and accept.

For instance, we can experience joy when we face trials and tribulations:

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. for you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

James 1:2-3(NLT)

We can experience joy when we praise and worship God:

“You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.”

Isaiah 9:3(NIV)

“Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.”

Psalm 27:6

 

Joy is a gift from God:

“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.”

Romans 15:13

Joy comes in the morning, and his joy is our strength

“For his anger is but for a moment, His favour is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

Psalm 30:5

“Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10

How do you experience joy every day?

When I think about joy, I think about our ability to smile despite the pains we experience. I think about gratitude and contentment, and the strength to notice the beauty before us, rather than the problems.

And I also know that doing these things is not normal nor are they easy.

The last thing you probably think of doing is smiling when you are sad or giving when you have almost nothing. The idea of thanking God when we face trials also toes this line. It is hard but not impossible.

More so, we experience joy by not losing sight of God’s blessings and grace. It is often easy to focus on the things we do not have, rather than all that we do. 

We, invariably, experience true joy by seeking our true source of joy – Jesus Christ. ]He is the one that fills us with his joy. A joy that allows us to rejoice, to celebrate, and to be content. it is his joy that fills our hearts and allows us to break out in song:

“Sweet Jesus, sweet Jesus, how wonderful you are

you are brighter than the morning star,

you are fairer, much fairer than the lilies that grow by the way

you are precious, more precious than gold.”

In saying all these things, it is incredible to also note that we can experience God’s joy and His fullness every day. We can thank him for the little and big things, and savor all the moments.

A joyful reminder

Here’s a short poem to remind you that each day is a gift, and we have an amazing opportunity to enjoy all the big and little things God has blessed us with.

 

Open Your Eyes

Open your eyes to the beauty before you

The colors and hues that abound

Carefully chosen by a master creator

A varied mix for your daily pleasure

 

Open your ears to listen to the words that matter

The sounds of songs and drama

The bird chirps, the baby cries

A myriad that makes life a wonder

 

Open your eyes to the world around you

A daily dose of the hustle and bustle.

The smiles, the laughter, and jokes

Curated for everyone’s delight

 

Open your mind to the opportunities in front of you

For far and in between they may come

Cloaked in strife and strains

But they unearth happiness that lasts.

 

Open your arms to the people in need

The ones who have naught

Like a stranger in a foreign land

But hope in the goodness of man.

 

Open your heart to the love beside you

The succor and purpose which it gives

To savor the possibilities that come

When you believe in another.

 

Open your soul to the joy within

Never repressed by a thousand wrongs

Which overflows day by day and

turns every dark path grey.