How can I be joyful in hard times?
2 Corinthians 12:10That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
God uses our weaknesses, hardships, and limitations to accomplish much in his Kingdom. Where we are weakest, he will provide the greatest strength. That God would honor us by working through our limitations should bring us joy.
1 Peter 4:12-13Don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
Difficult circumstances help us better understand what Jesus went through for us. Jesus suffered to give us the greatest gift of all—eternal life—so, we should joyfully suffer for him and faithfully proclaim his message despite the suffering it might cause. Suffering for Christ helps us appreciate his suffering for us.
Romans 5:2Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Hebrews 10:34You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
Hope in God’s promises of eternal life gives us joy because we know that the hardships we are experiencing now will end, but his love and presence will go on forever.
Acts 5:41The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.
When we suffer for our faith, we can be joyful because we know that God is working through us to accomplish his will and advance his Kingdom. We experience joy when we know that God is pleased with us and that our work for him will bring rewards in heaven.
Psalm 69:32The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.
Habakkuk 3:17-18Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
Philippians 3:1Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.
Philippians 4:4Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
We can be joyful—always—regardless of our circumstances, by choosing to focus on who God is, his love for us, and his promises for the future.
Psalm 31:7I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.
Romans 8:35-39Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? . . . No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Joy celebrates our friendship with God. Feelings and circumstances need not prevail. Even in times of trouble and anguish, we can experience joy because of God’s unfailing love for us.
2 Corinthians 6:10Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.
2 Corinthians 8:2They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
Even if we are poor according to the world’s standards, we can be joyful because we know of our spiritual riches in Christ.
Jeremiah 29:11“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Romans 12:12Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
James 5:11We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.
We can be joyful during hard times because we can trust God’s sovereignty and his love.
2 Corinthians 7:4-7God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!
We can be joyful during hard times as God ministers to us through Christian friends.
2 Corinthians 4:14-18We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. . . . That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
We can be joyful during hard times by remembering God’s promise of our future resurrection. This will help us look beyond the problems of daily life. This is not escapism or wishful thinking; it is a reality that fuels our joy by seeing life’s circumstances through an eternal perspective.
Matthew 5:12“Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”
Luke 6:23“When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.”
Acts 5:41The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.
Acts 16:23, 25They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. . . . Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.
Philippians 2:17-18I [Paul] will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
Colossians 1:24I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.
1 Thessalonians 1:6So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.
Hebrews 10:34You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
1 Peter 3:14Even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.
1 Peter 4:12-19Don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. . . . Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! . . . So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.
We can be joyful during hard times by embracing a new perspective on persecution, suffering, and sacrifice, for through it we more fully identify with our suffering Savior.
Psalm 94:12Joyful are those you discipline, Lord, those you teach with your instructions.
Hebrews 12:11No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
We can be joyful in hard times by embracing a new perspective on God’s discipline, for through suffering, especially as consequences for our failures and sin, we learn to be his disciples.
James 1:2When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
Hard times should remind us that we live in a fallen world full of futility and frustration, but also that we can turn to God who will never disappoint us. God promises lasting joy for all who believe in him. This kind of joy endures despite our problems.
