Finding Your Joy in the Midst of it All

Never underestimate the joy of a beautiful sunrise.

Finding Your Joy in the Midst of It All

Life has a way of swirling around us, fast, full, and sometimes downright overwhelming. There’s laundry to fold, unexpected news, meetings that run long, and hearts that ache in silence. And yet… right there, in the middle of all of it, joy is still possible.

Not the kind of joy that depends on everything going just right. But a deeper, more anchored joy, the kind that can coexist with chaos, pain, or uncertainty. The kind of joy that whispers, “I’m still here with you,” even when life feels loud.

Joy Is a Fruit, Not a Feeling

Joy isn’t something we manufacture, it’s something we receive and cultivate. It’s a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), which means it’s part of God’s character placed in us. It grows when we stay connected to Him, even in the hardest moments.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy.” ,  Psalm 16:11 (ESV)

Joy comes from presence, not perfection. When we lean into God's presence, we discover joy isn’t something we have to chase. It’s something we find when we pause, breathe, and recognize we’re not alone.

Joy Can Be Found in Small Things

Sometimes, joy shows up in the most ordinary places:

• The way the sunlight hits the kitchen floor.

• A good laugh during a hard conversation.

• A favorite song coming on right when you need it most.

• A text that says, “I’m thinking of you.”

• A hot cup of coffee… actually still hot.

These moments may not change our circumstances, but they change our perspective.

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” ,  Psalm 118:24 (NIV)

This verse doesn’t say only the good days, it says this day. Even this one, whatever it holds, is still a day made by God and filled with reasons to rejoice.

Choosing Joy Isn’t Denial, It’s Defiance

Choosing joy doesn’t mean ignoring your pain or pretending everything’s fine. It means looking the hard stuff in the face and saying, “You don’t get the final word.”

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” ,  James 1:2 (NIV)

That verse always used to confuse me, how can trials be joyful? But James isn’t talking about smiling through suffering. He’s talking about recognizing that something deeper is happening through our trials. Growth. Refining. Purpose. Joy that comes from trusting God even when we don’t understand the why.

Find Your Joy Today

Take a moment, right now, to pause and ask yourself:

What is one small thing today that brings me joy? Is it the sound of laughter? A memory that makes you smile? The smell of fresh rain or the feel of cozy socks?

Write it down. Thank God for it. And let that joy be your reminder: He’s in the middle of it all with you.

Joy is closer than you think. Even here. Even now.