Finding Joy in Suffering - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - April 6, 2026
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4, NASB).
For many years, I allowed my emotions to control the way I walked through life and made decisions. If something felt right or good, I did it. If something didn’t feel right or good, I avoided it. Needless to say, I surrounded myself with people and situations that satisfied me and filled my feel-good tank. When storms came my way, I allowed my emotions to toss me to and fro and cause so much emotional chaos that I couldn’t even think straight. I would be crushed under the weight of these emotions and be so consumed by my circumstances that it would cause me to fall victim to depression constantly and make very poor, sinful decisions that I would later regret. Thankfully, once I was born again and began to study the scriptures, the Holy Spirit taught me that the damaging cycle is not how God wants His children to live.
When trials are big, and God is small in your mind, misery and instability rule. When trials are small, and God is big, near, and sovereign, joy reigns in your heart. We must link our thinking and feelings to the Lord and remind our hearts of His truth. We should never allow our feelings to dictate how we respond in hard times or allow our emotions to hold us back from drawing near to God’s truth, where true joy can be found.
While suffering in prison, Paul encourages the Philippians to find their joy in the Lord:
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4, NASB).
Where does rejoicing come from? This ability, despite our suffering and trials, comes from the Lord, who is the fountainhead of our joy. We can always rejoice because Christ never changes. You cannot always rejoice in your circumstances, but you can always rejoice in the Lord- He is constant. What are some ways we can rejoice in the Lord? We can rejoice in the Lord because of our salvation. We can rejoice that God is sovereign over all things in our lives. We can rejoice that He is sanctifying us and transforming our lives. We can rejoice because we can be satisfied with the riches and blessings that are available to us in Christ.
We can find spiritual fortitude by focusing on Christ, who brings us strength and joy no matter what we are facing. We can fix our eyes on Christ by tuning out the things of the world- lesser things- that keep us from thirsting for the things of God that bring a joy that the world cannot offer us. Troubles and anxieties are minimized when we lift our gaze to the Lord and meditate on the scriptures, where we learn the truths about who God is, which renew our minds and strengthen our faith in Him.
We must not be overtaken by our emotions when we are suffering or experiencing a difficult trial. Not that feelings are evil or sinful, as God had made us to experience them, but He does not want our emotions to dictate our responses and decisions. Circumstances change, but God never does. He is constant and steadfast. We can rest in His faithfulness, knowing that He has a plan in the storm, even if it is to use it to make you look more like Him. He is near to us in the midst of our great suffering, even if we cannot always sense it. We must ask the Lord to help us find joy in Him and to rejoice in Him even when we cannot always rejoice in our circumstances. Since Jesus brought us near to the Father by shedding His precious blood on the cross, we can find our joy in Him alone, knowing He is forever by our side when the storm rages around us. The next time you find yourself in a difficult season, ask the Holy Spirit to help you focus on Jesus. He is our helper in times of need, and He will fill your heart with unspeakable joy in Christ that will well up in you like a fountain!
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/ Stavros Constantinou
Related Resource: Discouragement Often Comes after Calling | Ezra 3
In this episode of The Bible Explained, Jen walks through Ezra chapter 3 and explores the Israelites’ return from exile as they begin rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. She highlights how the people, though fearful and greatly outnumbered, chose unity, obedience, and worship by first rebuilding the altar and restoring sacrifices to God. The episode focuses on the emotional moment when the temple foundation is laid—some rejoice with gratitude while others weep, remembering the former temple’s glory. Through passages in Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah, Jen emphasizes God’s encouragement not to “despise small beginnings,” reminding listeners that God often works through humble starts, difficult seasons, and imperfect circumstances. The episode closes with a practical encouragement: when God calls people to a purpose, opposition and discouragement will come, but faithful perseverance and trust in God’s presence are what carry the work forward. If this podcast helped you understand the Bible in a clearer way, be sure to follow The Bible Explained on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
