“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again — rejoice!”
Philippians 4:4 NLT
Summer is supposed to feel light, isn’t it? Like lemonade and laughter, barefoot walks and backyard cookouts. But real life doesn’t take a vacation just because the calendar says July.
Babies still wake up teething. Bills still come due. Aging parents still need more help than you feel equipped to give. Friendships strain. Grief lingers. Dreams stall.
Joy can feel like a foreign concept when your days are heavy or your nights feel endless.
Yet, Paul’s words in Philippians don’t offer joy as a suggestion; his encouragement is a command: “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again — rejoice!”
At first glance, it may feel impossible. But God isn’t asking us to slap on a fake smile or ignore our pain. He’s inviting us to a deeper joy — a soul-rooted gladness that isn’t dependent on perfect circumstances but on a perfect Savior.
Joy in hard times looks like praising God through tears.
It’s thanking Him for small graces — the quiet moment, the ripe peach, the child’s giggle — while trusting Him with what’s unresolved.
It’s opening your Bible when anxiety would rather scroll.
It’s clinging to truth when your feelings fluctuate.
Joy doesn’t deny the hard; it declares God is still good in the midst of it.
Jesus isn’t distant from your struggle. He’s with you: in the nursery, the hospital room, the counseling session, and the lonely kitchen. He’s steady when everything else feels shaky. When you choose joy, you’re not faking it. You’re fighting for it. You’re anchoring your soul to the One who never changes.
This summer, let’s be women who notice the beauty and name the blessings. Who weep when we need to, but worship anyway. Who call each other higher — not to perfection, but to presence. God’s presence. His joy.
Because He is here.
He is hope.
And He is worthy of our praise.
A Prayer for Joy in Hard Times
Father, thank You that joy in You is always available, even when life feels anything but easy. Remind me that Your joy is not about my circumstances but about Your unchanging character. Help me see glimpses of Your goodness today. Give me strength to choose praise over pity, truth over fear, and hope over despair. Anchor me in You. Let my life reflect Your light even in the dark. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This is so what I needed to hear this morning. I asked God to speak to me and give me a word this morning… and He did. Thank you.
Praising Him for His kind and perfect timing for you, Brenda!
I needed this.. thank you!
I truly needed this today-and will remember it in the days to come! Thank you. God is good all the time. All the time God is good.
In Courage,
Last month I slipped in my kitchen & broke my right wrist in two places. Been in a cast since June 24. Sure it is easy to bemoan that I can’t use my right wrist much. There was a period where I got a little unhappy. But God made me realize that I get to sit at home & still get paid. Now I’m able to drive & do a few more things. Joy is creeping back into my life. Last night I danced to Mar Schultz’s Christian music. God is good.
Blessings 🙂
Fantastic devotional! 100% how I’m feeling this summer. Thank you.
Are you saying that we can have joy in hard times because of who God is and what He does in our lives?
I love all of the encouragement you give in your writings. Joyfulness is a choice we choose. I try to be joyful and thankful every day and enjoy life as it comes. Thank you
AMEN to this beautiful inspiring written devotional! This describes us so well, as a couple we have lost many of our close christian friends that we have known for a very long time, at least one or more a week which started before Easter til now/approx. 20. Therefore you too now have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your HEART will REJOICE, and no one takes JOY away from you. (John 16:22) Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS; again I say REJOICE! (Philippians 4:4) We were BLESSED to be able to spend precious time with these different families, It gave me such JOY to make meals & goodies for the family during their difficult time of need and then loss. Lets keep your JOY alive AND Let your Light SHINE for Him. Greatly appreciate the above prayer from In-Courage, Thank You!