"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." - Gal. 5:22
There’s this lone, wild little plant that set up camp on the side of my home. It sprouted through a crack in the ground at the base of our dark gray wall, bearing a single white flower, now and then. I’ll often come across it as I head up to my private space on the upper floor. When the wind sweeps through and the cold seeps in, it looks as if it's shivering in the cold...and yet, it strives to stand tall, struggling, yes, but it’s almost dance-like in the way it sways in the breeze, doing that little happy dance that never fails to send that much-needed rush of cheer my way. Looking at it… I couldn’t help but tell that little flower: your infectious joy takes up more room than the sum of your struggle =).
It’s truly something how God can get His message across through nature, especially during a particularly rough patch in our lives.
For a child of God, embracing joy in the midst of life’s unpredictability isn’t as far-fetched as most people think. Nature teaches us it is possible. Choosing joy in times of hardship isn’t just a matter of choice but also an instinct built into our lives, into a life rooted in Christ. The moment we choose God above all other desires, joy becomes part of our identity, for the joy of the Lord comes naturally to those in whom the Spirit of God rests.
That said, being human still makes us predisposed to pain. Living the Christian way of life isn’t always synonymous with living with a steady sense of joy from dawn to dusk, because, though we have the Spirit of God living within us, we’re also flesh and blood, not yet fully transformed into our glorified bodies. Thus, we are encouraged to draw spiritual nourishment from God’s Word. What we feed most is what wields the greatest influence on us. As such, the more we feed our Spirit with the Lord’s nourishing Words, the closer we come to drinking from His deep well of joy… that feeling of lightness that isn’t bound by our changing circumstances but hinges on His faithfulness, of which we have no shortage.
"You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11 NIV
What helps keep God’s joy alive in you when times get tough?
Let’s pray…
Father,
Difficult as this season may seem, I’m still grateful. Though I’m barely holding myself together, I’m assured I will not fail, for you’re the One who establishes my steps. In times of pain, I sometimes feel abandoned, especially when things get unbearably hard… but the joy of your visitation is what I look back on… The memory of your visitation steadies me. I’m not forgotten; I’m not unloved. Do not let the enemy blur what I know to be true about Your promises. As bleak as things might seem, I trust that you’re working through me, carrying me as I walk the darkest valley I’ve ever lived through. You are the joy of my heart; there’s nothing that can ease my distress and ignite joy in times of uncertainty like Your presence. May the joy that flows from you fill me up, allowing me to thrive even in this dark season of life. May I, like that little plant shivering in the cold, still be able to spread cheer, bringing lightness to other people’s lives despite going through struggles myself…so that those who don’t know you will witness this kind of peace in me, that joy and peace that hardship can’t take away, stirring in them a desire to know you, drawing them to seek You for themselves.
This I pray in Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
What truth from today’s devotional is God using to encourage your heart? Share your reflection and join our conversation in the iBelieve Truth Devotional Forum.
Feel like digging a little deeper? Here is a wonderful resource to meet you right where you are. 5 Comforting Psalms for When We Worry: A Guided Reflection Journal
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Mitchell McCleary
Related Resource: The Blind Spots Hurting Your Relationships
In this episode of I Wish You Could Hear This, Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn sit down with licensed professional counselor and bestselling author Debra Fileta for an honest and insightful conversation about the relationship blind spots many of us don’t realize we have. Together, they explore how emotional patterns, past wounds, and unrecognized habits can quietly shape the way we connect with others.
Debra shares practical wisdom on how to grow in self-awareness, strengthen communication, and take ownership of the ways we impact the people we love. Whether you’re dating, married, leading others, or simply wanting healthier relationships, this episode offers hope-filled tools to help you break unhealthy cycles and build deeper connection.
If you’ve ever wondered why relationships can feel harder than they should—or how to become a healthier version of yourself—this conversation is for you. Like what you hear? Be sure to follow I Wish You Could Hear This on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Like what you hear? Be sure to follow I Wish You Could Hear This on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Sunday, 08 November 2026.
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