4 Ways to Access the Joy of the Lord in Trials

Are you in a hard season of life? Does it feel like a trial that will never end? No matter what season you are in, you can access the joy of The Lord.

I am facing a trial in life.  This season of hard things just won’t end. 

Sometimes the hard trials are expected but more often they catch us unaware.  Rest assured, Friend, hard seasons and trials do not have to catch us unprepared.  We can cling to the joy of the Lord in any situation – every day! Today we will see 4 ways to access His joy.

A Journey Toward the Joy of the Lord

I love to start with this question… How many times is the word joy in the Bible? The Bible talks about joy over 180 times and most of those reference joy in trials. When there is repetition in Scripture we know the topic is important!

“Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials,” (James 1:2 NASB)

I’ve gone through a lot of trials and hard seasons in my life, but I usually fail at keeping Joy or counting it all Joy as James instructs.

This season, in particular, has been harder than I can handle.  Honestly, it seems like there has been one trial after another trial for the past 12 or 15 years.

In the beginning, I was very steadfast about Bible study and prayer, fighting back against the enemy as attack after attack came at me and our family.  When it seemed too hard to bear I would reach out to my sweet sisters in prayer knowing they were fighting where I couldn’t.

There have been victories where I’ve given God all the glory because they were all Him… but there hasn’t been joy.

You can access the Joy of the Lord even in Trials! Learn how here! Share on X

Joy Became My Word of The Year

In January, God began to put a word in my heart.  Joy – the Joy of the Lord specifically – kept being repeated over and over. I couldn’t shake the feeling that the Lord wanted me to focus on that word.

I didn’t understand or know what to do with that word.  Do you ever get that from Him? 

Some people get all excited about a word for their year but it just sat funny with me.  I hadn’t prayed for or asked for a word for the year… and things were already hard. 

A new word would mean more to learn, and learning with God is often hard. It’s funny as I look back on how I felt about God directing me in this way. I was afraid a new word to study would mean more trials. There is a lie from the enemy tied up in that thought.

God is not a God of hard, not a God of punishment. When the Lord brings direction it is to bring healing, breakthrough, and abundant life. (I say to remind myself more than you dear reader)

The Joy of The Lord Can Change Our Habits

Honestly, I have an M.O. for how I handle hard things.  The hard situation rears its ugly head and I pray, I hope, and I distract myself – and I repeat.

My plan is sort of a grit your teeth and bear it until the trial passes kind of strategy.

Anybody else like that?

I didn’t see any room for Joy in my cycle, a cycle which has worked for me for years I might add. So as I pressed into God about this word joy and the joy of the Lord I expected hard…

How to Access the Joy of the Lord

I had a skewed understanding of joy, not to mention a skewed view of the heart of God when life gets hard.

It’s always good to start with the questions in your heart about a topic. I used to be scared questions proved I didn’t have big enough faith. Now I know questions help grow my faith!

To me, having an attitude of joy is like the little, animated girl from the movie Inside Out who is always bubbly, energetic, and optimistic.  Joy had been confused by the emotion of Happiness, which is pretty common.  Even the dictionary ties happiness and joy together. 

To access the joy of the Lord I needed a plan. These 4 things have helped me find clarity.

1. Understand what joy is.
2. Know where joy comes from.
3. Get to know God better.
4. Understand why joy matters to God.

Related Post: What Is Joy and Why Do We Need It in a Christian Marriage?

1. What is Joy?

As the months wore on and God was persistent, I began asking questions and taking those questions to the scripture for answers. One big question was clearly, what is joy, and what is the joy of the Lord according to the Bible?

So I asked: What is the Joy of the Lord in the Bible?

As I opened the Scriptures about joy I was surprised to see Joy mentioned so many times! According to these “The joy of the Lord Bible verses,” Biblical joy is this amazing gift that equips us to shine HIS light into our dark world.

Bible verses about joy showed a clear definition of joy that I like in bullet points.

Definition of Joy in the Bible

Biblical Joy Is:

• A Spiritual gift – Galatians 5:22
• A state of being we reach as believers when we fix our eyes on Jesus – Luke 6:22-23
• An expression of worship – Psalm 47:1
• The result of a heart confident in God and eternity – Ecclesiastes 9:7; Psalm 28:7; 1 Peter 1:8-9
• Strength the Lord gives even in trials and grief- Nehemiah 8:10; 1 Peter 1:6-8; Psalm 30:11; Psalm 126:5 & 2 Corinthians 6:10
• Joy comes when we are refreshed with love from others- Philemon 1:7
• An everlasting heart condition for Christians  – Isaiah 35:10
• A character trait of Jesus as he endured the cross – Hebrews 12:2
• It comes when we seek refuge in God in every season – Psalm 34:8
• Obedience to God brings joy – Psalm 19:8 & Psalm 119:1-3

Is Joy missing in your life?  Need a guide to help get it back?  I’d love to give you this Free 30 Day Reading Guide to help.

2. Where Does Joy Come From?

There are so many Scriptures about the joy of the Lord, but I needed more. What Scriptures say the joy of the Lord is my strength was my next question. People quote that verse at me often and I didn’t even know where to find it.

Anybody else?

“Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”Nehemiah 8:10 NASB)

This passage is one filled with joy and sorrow as the Israelites realized they had been disobedient to God (in ignorance of His law) for years.  It tells us that joy is an aspect of who God is.

We have access to the joy of the Lord because the Holy Spirit lives within us!

What Does Nehemiah 8:10 Mean?

Something else I love about this passage can be seen with a deeper look. Now, I am not a theologian, but I love to look at Bible verses in different translations when they are confusing.

For example, how is joy also strength? I think of joy as a state of being or an emotion. But Nehemiah said God’s joy somehow becomes our strength.

The word strength can also be translated as refuge. With that in mind, I understand Nehemiah 8:10 to say:

“The joy of the Lord is a refuge of strength. His strength gives you joy. You can hide in His strength and find joy in the safety of His arms.”

The Joy of the Lord In Us

The joy of the Lord lives inside of us because we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us and He is joy. He is Joy. Let that sink into your heart.

Romans 14:17 and Romans 15:13 tell us joy is something that comes from salvation and having a Kingdom mentality

“You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy…” (Psalm 16:11 NASB)

“Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and joy are in His place.” (1 Chronicles 16:27 NASB)

Bible Verses About Joy

How do you experience the joy of the Lord? There is joy for us when we are in God’s presence because He is Joy.

2 Corinthians 6:10  tells us there is joy when we are in ministry which we all are. Serving God and others brings joy. Serving pleases the Lord and brings His joy.

We also see that the Lord just puts joy in our hearts at times. That’s so beautiful!

“You have put gladness [Joy] in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine are abundant.” (Psalm 4:7 NASB)

God actually puts joy in us. We can ask Him to fill us afresh with His Spirit anytime.

Hands down joy comes from God.  Joy is God.  We have access to joy because we have access to God who is the joy of the Lord.

3. Get To Know God Better to Access The Joy of The Lord

How do I keep Joy when trials turn into hard seasons that seem to linger too long?

When trials come we can do more than just hope in the Lord (though that is a good Biblical habit). We can rest in His presence and be filled with Joy. 

It’s easy to be weighed down by the trials all around me.  Depression, fear, sadness, and anxiety knock at the door daily.  To keep joy through trials and hard seasons we have to be intentional.

How can we be intentional? Isaiah 26:3 tells us to keep our eyes fixed on God and He will be our strength and peace.

How Can We Keep Our Eyes Fixed on God? 

Focus on Him rather than the trials! It’s easy for my quiet time to become “me-focused,” or “task-focused,” just checking off one more thing.  What if we just sit in His presence and get to know the Lord better?

What better way to know someone than to know their name?

Names of God are attributes of His character that Biblical figures cried out to and claimed as promises when life got too hard. 

Because God is faithful and unchanging we can learn these names and cry out to Him with them. He is faithful. He will answer our prayers.

The Names of God

These 11 names of God are my favorite to cling to when trials turn into hard seasons and I need Him to move in powerful, miraculous ways. (Click here for how to pronounce them)

I am listing the name, its meaning, and the passage where you can find the name used.

• El Shaddai – Almighty, All-Sufficient God
  • “From the God of your father who helps you, And by the Almighty who blesses you With blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lies beneath, Blessings of the breasts and of the womb.” (Genesis 49:25 NASB)
• Jehovah El Elohim The LORD, Mighty, Powerful, Strong
  • “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 NASB)
• Jehovah Jireh – The LORD Will Provide(Read More)
  • “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 NASB)
• Jehovah Shalom – the LORD our Peace (Read More)
  • “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace Because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3 NASB)
• Immanuel – God with us(Read More)
  • “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” (Isaiah 41:10 NASB)

Names of God in The Psalms

• Jehovah Ga’al – The LORD our Redeemer
  • “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock, and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 NASB)
• Jehovah Rophe – The LORD our Healer (Read More)
  • “Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases…” (Psalm 103:2-3 NASB)
• Jehovah Gibbor Milchamah – The LORD Mighty in Battle
  • “Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.” (Psalm 24:8 NASB)
• Elohei Mikkarov – God who is Near(Read More)
  • “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18 NASB)
• Jehovah Mephalti – The LORD my Deliverer
  • “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2 NASB)
• Jehovah Machsi – the LORD My Refuge (Read More)
  • “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NASB)

4. Understand Why God Gives us Joy

After all this searching about how the joy of the Lord is my strength, I asked a different question.

“God, Why Joy? Do I really need joy?”

It’s a beautiful thing the way God knows what is going to happen.  He sees how hard things are going to be. He knows best how to prepare us for those seasons!

What the Lord showed me is that we need joy. We need joy, Believers!

Especially as as the Church, the Body of Christ who are called to be an example to the lost world.

Stop Being Sourpuss Christians

Without joy, as we white-knuckle our way through trials, the world doesn’t see Jesus or their need for Jesus anyway. They see us trying hard, pushing ourselves, trying for self-reliance, and often failing. They see us as angry, bitter, irritable, and too stressed to help them. The lost world sees a bunch of hypocritical sourpuss Christians who have nothing they want… or nothing they can’t have without Christ.

With joy, the joy of the Lord, they see Him working through us to bring the trials to resolution. They see hope for their own trials.

Joy matters. It is the difference between our light shining and light being hidden under a basket for long seasons.

This new understanding of joy is why I chose to begin praying for joy over our pastors and elders. Joy matters and we all need help to access that joy consistently.

Will You Access the Joy of the Lord?

We need joy, especially amidst trials and suffering. We can access the joy of the Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit who is living and active within us right now!

1. Understand what joy is.
2. Know where joy comes from.
3. Get to know God better.
4. Understand why joy matters to God.

Where are you in the process? Do you understand what true Biblical joy is? Do you know where it comes from and how to hide yourself in His strength? How are you doing getting to know the Lord? Do you see the world watching your witness and know joy needs to shine through you?

Pick one of these things to focus on today and see His joy begin to shine through your life!

in HIS love,

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