How to Find Biblical Joy When Difficult Circumstances Do Not Change

Gina Smith ginalsmith.com
Updated Jul 14, 2023

“Biblical joy is not something that comes and goes; it is not dictated by our circumstances. Biblical joy is something that exists even when we are suffering or going through a heavy trial, because it is based on the knowledge that God is present, walking with us in our trials, producing good fruit in us as we go through the trial, and will use it as a platform for him to be seen by others.” (Excerpt taken from "Everyday Prayers for Joy" by Gina L. Smith)

A few years ago, the word "Joy" became my word after God had ushered my family and me into a season of some exceedingly difficult circumstances. This season lasted not for a few days or a few months but for several years. It was the longest amount of time that I had ever personally experienced where nothing made sense, and I had to trust God, one day at a time, not knowing if or when the season would end.

One night, when I could not sleep, I quietly tiptoed to our living room, sat on the couch, and wrapped myself in a warm blanket. The only light in the room came from 3 letters on a shelf: "J-O-Y." As I sat there, I reflected on what a difficult season I was in and began to ask God how I could begin to experience his kind of joy – a joy that was present despite my circumstances. A joy that was found in Him.

That night I knew God wanted me to learn His definition of joy. Not merely an intellectual knowledge of the definition. He wanted it to be my heart and soul, a deep experience. He wanted me to experience the joy that can only be found in him. I came to the end of every resource I had been clinging to and was forced to sit alone before the Lord. He opened my eyes to the fact that I have often found joy in all the wonderful things He has provided for me and allowed me to be a part of. Things such as having a family, a marriage, being involved in ministry and mentoring, and homeschooling my precious children –all these things gave my life so much purpose. I was not regularly finding my joy in the One who had provided all those wonderful blessings. It became evident that I needed to begin learning what it meant to find joy in Christ alone. A joy that did not fade when my circumstances changed or became difficult.

Verses to Help You When Difficult Circumstances Do Not Change

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4  

This verse, the "joy verse," sums up what happens when we choose biblical joy. When we choose to view our circumstances through the eyes of our Creator, we will experience growth and maturity that can only come when we go through tough times. God wants what is best for us, and he knows what it will take for us to accomplish his best. He produces in us an ability to persevere in our faith, and he perfects us, making us more like him when we "count it all joy"!

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:2

When you choose to focus your thoughts on things that cannot be taken away, things that are not on this earth, then our circumstances will not be able to be used by the enemy to steal the joy we have found that is only found by focusing on God and his promises.

"So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18 

Again, we are instructed to focus on the things that are eternal. Those things that cannot be taken away and that will last forever. Will the sadness we feel because of the hard things we are facing go away? Not always. But we can have biblical joy amid difficult circumstances. We can find encouragement when we remember that the longest this trial (or any trial) can last is a lifetime. Eternity is forever, and there will be no more pain, tears, or suffering!

What Good Comes When Difficult Circumstances Do Not Change

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When you find yourself in long-term difficult circumstances, you are given an opportunity to choose to trust God. Those things that burden you or break your heart are not too heavy for God's shoulders to bear for us.
You have an opportunity to learn to choose to focus on eternity by being in the Word and being reminded of all the things that God promises are to come when this life is over. Focusing on the eternal helps us to take our eyes off the temporal.
You have the opportunity to choose to shift your focus and place your hope in God and not in your circumstance or the things and people around you.

Find Biblical Joy by Focusing on God

1. Thank Him for Who He Is:

Father, thank you for being El Simchah Giyli – God, My Exceeding Joy. You are in the center of these difficult circumstances. What is happening in my life did not surprise you. Joy that is found in You is not dependent on my circumstances or feelings. Thank you for loving me enough to make that kind of joy available. You are truly My Exceeding Joy.

2. Thank Him for His Faithfulness:

Father, you are faithful. Help me to remember all the ways that you have been faithful over my entire lifetime, and please use those memories to encourage my heart during this difficult season. Please use them to lift me out of this hard place and put me in a place of hope and joy.

3. Thank Him for His Promises:

Father, thank you for your promises that tell me that there is more to life than the temporary life we experience here on this earth. Thank you for the hope you give when I read your countless promises that tell me that one day there will be no more pain, tears, or suffering.

4. Thank Him for His Provisions:

Father, thank you for providing me with Your Word and its promises. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, who empowers me to persevere in tough times. And thank you for the people you have placed in my life, in this moment, that can give me counsel and help bear my burdens. You are so merciful. You are so good.

To learn more about how to choose biblical joy, check out my book “Everyday Prayers for Joy”!

For weekly encouragement on how to choose biblical joy in all circumstances, subscribe to “Choose Biblical Joy Today”

This article is part of a series by Gina Smith on biblical joy. Here are more of her articles:

How to Find Biblical Joy When You Face Life Changes

How to Find Biblical Joy When You Find Yourself in Mom Survival Mode

How to Find Biblical Joy When You Enter the Empty Nest Season

How to Find Biblical Joy When You Battle Depression

Finding Biblical Joy in Loneliness

How to Find Biblical Joy When You Don't Feel Like Fighting for Joy

Gina Smith is a writer and author. She has been married for 35 years to Brian, a college professor and athletic trainer. For 25+ years, she and her husband served on a Christian college campus as the on-campus parents, where Brian was a professor and dean of students. They reside right outside of Washington, DC, and are the parents of two grown children, one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law, and one granddaughter. She recently authored her first traditionally published book, Everyday Prayers for Joy, which is available everywhere books are sold. You can find Gina at the following: Website: ginalsmith.com, Instagram, and at Million Praying Moms, where she is a writer.