How to find joy in life’s moments

Rediscovering your zest for life

Last year, I went through a breakup that had me questioning God’s word and promises. I hope to share lessons from my experience someday if the Lord permits.

After the experience, I know that my vision was severely impaired. For a while, I saw life through the rays of pain and discomfort, which was surprising because I hadn’t expected that I would feel so ‘broken.’

Thankfully, God brought incredible friends and fam who encouraged and supported me through the healing process. More so, he dealt with me lovingly. He was gentle with me even when I was irritable and sulky.?

And with time, I could see the colours, again. I could smile and laugh and enjoy life’s moments.

Just a few days ago, I recalled my experience, and I couldn’t help but marvel at God’s faithfulness.

Here’s the thing: it is often impossible to think clearly in our moments of pain. We find it hard to believe that this too shall pass, yet it always does as we surrender to God’s healing power.

Here’s another thing: it’s not time that heals but God and the acts of obedience we take during that period.

Perhaps, you are burdened by the pains of past disappointments and betrayals. Maybe you’re dealing with yet another breakup, another lost opportunity or an unrealised promise. Sis, I want to encourage you not to give up on the healing process.

When we are in our well of pain, the accuser is usually at his busiest, he is doing all he can to keep us there, to press into our open wounds and rupture our veins.

Which is why we need our support system.

We need the Holy Spirit first – our comforter and friend, and then the beautiful people God has placed in our lives.

I remember on one of those days when the pain seemed unbearable, a friend randomly called me that he was coming to visit. A whisper of a smile escaped my lips after that call because I knew God had sent him. He took me out for a great dinner and spent uninterrupted time with me.

Through life’s various trials, I have learnt that we will often lose sight of our joy.

You may have noticed that I didn’t say we lose our joy, but that we become unaware of it. These are two different things.

I believe that once you become a Christian, joy becomes a constant part of your life. However, we ought to be mindful of the deposit of joy within us. A deposit that our Lord and Saviour made available to us through his death and resurrection.

So, we rediscover this joy (and zest for life) by becoming mindful of God’s deposit in our Spirit.

We go back to enjoying life when we realise that our trials can’t steal our joy.

If we go by the words of James 1:3, then those trials amplify our joy. They enrich and renew our joyful experiences.

 

You may find this hard to believe, but then think about what Christ says in John 10:10 and John 16:33

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

John 10:10

 

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

 

It is in Christ that we find the full expression of our joy and satisfaction. It is in Him that we can rediscover ourselves and the things that make us truly happy.

Don’t let life’s trials dissuade you from the truth of God’s word.

I know I almost allowed my situation and pain to drown out His words, but I am doubly grateful that he has promised never to leave nor forsake us.