Want to learn how to find joy in everyday life? Read on for ways to practice joy, any day.
If I were to ask you about all your disappointments for 2020, I bet you could pull out a whole list.
In fact, I’m pretty sure we could all sit around and hash out why this year has been the worst. If you stop to think about it, every detail, you can start to feel hopeless creep in.
So instead – we laugh about it, make memes about it, try to make the best of it. Because we just don’t want the pain and the sadness to be all there is.
Here’s the good news I have for you: pain and sadness is not all there is. And escaping isn’t the answer.
How do we find joy in the everyday instead?
First, let’s find a definition for joy. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines joy as “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.” Biblically, I think we can safely include the following: “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness we find in God.”
Because as we see in the Bible, joy is bigger than our circumstances; it isn’t only found when times are good. Rejoicing is a choice to find great pleasure and happiness – joy – in God, no matter what situation we find ourselves in.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! – Philippians 4:4
There, in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you. – Deuteronomy 12:7
Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. – Luke 6:22-23a
I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. – Psalm 9:2
Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. – Colossians 1:24
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. – 1 Corinthians 12:26
That’s not to say that we ignore the hurt or the pain. It’s a belief that, despite the hurt and pain, God is powerful, God is capable, God loves us, and has great plans and purpose for us; and that’s the source of our continual joy.
Joy can be found every day, at any time with God.
At any point in life, we can rejoice in his design, his purpose, his grace, and the characteristics that make up who he is.
That’s particularly important today – when the problems with our health, society, finances, relationships, and more threaten to overwhelm.
See also: Hope on the Home Front (a free Bible study e-book) and Free Bible Studies for Women in Quarantine
9 Ways to Find Joy in Everyday Life
I’m including in these ideas scriptures and scientific studies to back up these concepts. Don’t you just love it when science backs up what the Bible already says?
Please know – I’m not a medical professional, and these are not meant to be ways of healing depression or anxiety. If you are struggling with regular sad or anxious feelings, please get help from a doctor.
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1. Practice gratitude.
Thankfulness is powerful. It changes our perspectives on our current situations, from lack to abundance. And gratitude strengthens our joy and positive thinking when it’s a continual practice – constantly counting your blessings.
If you want to learn more about the power of gratitude, I so recommend the book One Thousand Gifts. It really gave me a new perspective on being thankful!
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
2. Worship in your own way.
Sing, pray, meditate, have a conversation with someone about God – do something where you get to praise God for who he is.
Worship can look a lot of different ways, since means “showing reverence and adoration” to God. You can express it on a walk as you admire the weather or nature. It can be done in your room while meditating or journaling what’s on your heart. It can be talking about the characteristics of God with your children or with a friend.
Engaging in spiritual activity has even been found to increase well-being, including better coping skills and mental health.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. – Philippians 4:8
3. Tend to your body, mind, soul, and spirit.
God cares about all the aspects of ourselves – our hearts, minds, souls, and spirits. He speaks to renewing our minds and bodies in various scriptures, and through God-centered self care, we can really find the refreshment our souls long for. Science backs up the benefits of self care, too.
Again, self care can mean so many different things. Maybe it’s cultivating a gift God has given you; maybe it’s taking care of your body through exercise or physical rest; it could be learning something new or enjoying a good laugh; it might be engaging in quality time with a good friend or quiet time alone. Taking care of these aspects in our lives allows us to serve God and glorify him better and better.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. – Psalm 23:1-2
4. Do something that requires faith.
There is so much joy that comes from seeing God work in our lives. This might not be something that happens right away – it might rather be something you plant seeds for, pray for, and cultivate over time.
Maybe it’s reaching out to someone you aren’t great friends with, but want to get to know better. It could be sharing your faith, doing a good deed, or taking a step forward in a direction God is calling you. Just remember to be making decisions seeking God first (Proverbs 3:5-7).
Positive risk-taking is said to contribute to overall well-being, independence and a rewarding experience. It can build a resilient personality, which leads to being better equipped to handle challenges in life the next time they come up.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. – Hebrews 11:1-2 (All of Hebrews 11 is worth a read when it comes to faith!)
5. Get outside.
Get out of your house, breathe some fresh air, and experience nature. We’ve all been spending lots of time at home, where we can find a lot of over-stimulation (with work, household chores, to-do lists, and screens, for example). Being outdoors increases a positive mood and focus, among other benefits. It also gives us a chance to experience God’s creation without distraction.
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. – Romans 1:20
6. Pray or meditate.
Prayer is a gift from God to us – a way to connect with him, share what we’re feeling, and align our perspective with his. It can help us get out of our own heads and connect with him.
Studies show that prayer can protect our minds against anxiety disorders – but has a lot to do with our own attitudes. If we pray with the confidence that God is listening, cares, and will answer, it helps us; but prayer while believing God won’t really respond doesn’t help us much at all. (James 1:5-6 talks about praying for wisdom, but believing and not doubting when you do.)
The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. – Psalm 145:17-19
7. Focus on your breathing.
How we breathe has more of an impact than we realize. Breathing helps us regulate stress, improve focus and attention, and help us find calm. When life feels overwhelming, try some breathing exercises for grounding. (There are many more you can look up.)
This is what the Lord says – the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand.” – Isaiah 42:5-6a
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. – Exodus 14:14
8. Read scriptures that remind you of God’s love and compassion.
Joy can come from remembering that God is for us, and is with us; that he works for our good (Romans 8:28), has great plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11), that he has abundant love for us (Psalm 103:8).
Again, our mentality matters (Philippians 4:8). It matters how we look at God and how we see ourselves through his eyes. When we align our thoughts with God’s perspective (by reading his words and hearing his voice), we come out stronger, and find more joy.
These positive affirmations can increase our emotional health and perspectives of ourselves. It helps us find grounding and joy in our relationship with God.
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. – Psalm 103:8
9. Spend time with a good friend.
We are made for connection, as human beings. Even the most introverted among us (and I lean toward very introverted) have core needs that are fulfilled by strong emotional bonds with people who care about us, and vice versa. Joy comes from these connections; however it’s also true that toxic friendships can have the opposite effect.
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. – Proverbs 18:24
How do you find joy in everyday life?
Sometimes it all comes down to what brings you joy personally. Some of those things for me?
- Taking a drive
- Taking a walk
- Sipping tea
- A dance party
- Playing a game
- Creating
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Photo Credit:
2 – Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
3 – Candice Picard on Unsplash
f4 – Jessica Christian on Unsplash
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