Honey&Salt.online

joy in chaos

Hello, friends! Thank you for joining me on my second blog post! I have been seeking the Lord’s guidance for a message to share, and I am excited to delve into a verse that has profoundly impacted my spiritual walk.

Since we’re in the Christmas season, I have been very fixated on the word “joy”. This season is to be joyful because of the miraculous gift that we receive in Jesus. He came to earth at Christmas as a result of God’s unconditional love for us. Jesus’ resurrection creates for us a bridge between the gap of our sin and Our Father. Because of Jesus, we can now access a relationship with the Creator of the universe. How can we not be joyful in knowing this?

I chose the week’s scripture based on the message it conveys about joy. It is a passage from James 1, found in verses 2-3: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

Notice how James says “when you meet trials”; not “if you meet trials”. The beauty of this verse lies in its acknowledgment of the inevitability of trials in our lives. Through scripture, God does not promise us an easy road ahead. Paul is credited twice in scripture in saying that challenges are woven into the fabric of our walk with Christ (Acts 14:22 and Romans 8:17).

Embracing this biblical truth is not to instill a state of fear in us. The concept that trials may come is simply rooted in the profound understanding that facing challenges with Christ leads to growth, perseverance, and a deeper spiritual development with Our Father. Our reliance on the Lord through difficulties refines and molds our character in Jesus.

Although I love this verse now, when I first read it, I went to the Lord with some serious concerns. As a person who would complain a lot about everything, choosing joy did not seem possible for me. Anything from waking up late for work or forgetting a meeting would drain any amount of joy I had. One minor inconvenience in my morning would set my tone for the entire day.

This is something I went to the Lord for in prayer. I knew my heart was not in a constant state of gratitude, and through prayer, the Lord revealed to me that the secret of joy is simply a matter of your focus before it can become a feeling. While waiting to feel joyful in my circumstances, I hindered myself from seizing the opportunity to change my focus and actively choose joy amid trials.

A question I asked myself (and continue to ask myself) is ‘Am I looking at my circumstances and allowing them to dictate the amount of joy I have in my life?’ Choosing joy is not an easy or natural response. Joy does not necessarily mean a complete state of happiness. One of my favorite sayings is, “Being joyful is not what makes a person grateful; being grateful is what makes a person joyful.”

A heart of gratitude prepares the perfect setting for joy to enter. When I think about a heart of gratitude, I love to think about the apostle Paul. In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul expresses his overwhelming joy in the face of adversity. While in prison, he writes, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content… I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

I don’t know about you, but if I was in Paul’s situation, I don’t know if my joyfulness would be shining so bright. If I was in prison, I don’t think ‘being content’ would even cross my mind. This is why I love Paul’s character. He chose to recognize that his strength comes from God and not from his circumstances. If our joy was always dependent on our circumstances, our joy would always be limited.

Choosing to be joyful in trials does not necessarily mean neglecting what’s in front of you, but it’s knowing that your Creator is working in you and through you during this season. I’m sure Paul was not necessarily happy to be in prison – but he was joyful in his situation. He audited his life and current situation and chose to praise the Lord. He knew that God was creating in him something far grander than he could even comprehend.

God anoints us with the oil of joy that can only be given to us by Jesus Himself, and it cannot be taken away – not even by the enemy. Luke 8:16 says, “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.” This verse is so fitting to the overflow of joy of the Lord.

No one can take our joy away unless we hide it. The enemy has no power in taking our joy unless we give it to him. Our joy is not based on our circumstances or on the “good” things that happen in our lives. True Christian joy is found despite that.

In the song “Firm Foundation” by Maverick City Music, my favorite lyric is, “I’ve still got joy in chaos.” The oil of joy God imparts is not situational; it’s an unending joy sourced from the wellspring of His brimming heart. Our level of joy increases or decreases based on our trust in the Lord when we cannot comprehend our circumstances. Through the chaos, going to the Lord with a doxology of gratitude resets our hearts, transforms our minds, and changes our perspective to be more like His.

I wanted to specifically share this message with you because having a joyful heart and mind is such a beautiful characteristic Christians possess. Maybe you have been trying to be more joyful in your current season. Maybe you have been hoping the Lord will move in one area of your life and He hasn’t yet, which is draining your joy. Something else I love about this topic is that we are called to be joyful in hope. Not only are we to show joy in circumstances, but in our hopes for our futures.

I love knowing that when I wake up each morning, the author of my story holds the pen and has a full day to make anything happen. He holds the power to change my circumstances. When I go to sleep each night, I rest knowing He is still not finished with my story. My hope each and every day is knowing that God is holding my day in His hands.

Jesus is the true source of joy that is present inside of us and is destined to overflow out of us. No matter what comes your way, nothing can take your joy away because nothing can take your Jesus away. Fear, anxiety, depression, addiction, betrayal, sickness, heartbrokenness, grief – none can withstand the joy provided to you by the Lord.

I find so much joy in knowing that God has so much more to do with me and the same truth goes for you. James 1:2-3 underscores that challenges – when faced with faith – lead to growth, maturity in Christ, and an overall transformation, which is a truth for all of us to be joyful about.

When I struggle to choose joy, I resort to this prayer below. The Lord is never withholding of His joy for us, but it must become a focus in your life. Charge adversities knowing that you have an opportunity to rely on the Lord through it, and He will not fail you.


[Lord, I am coming to you to ask for a change of heart. I want to be grateful in every day You have created for me. I want to glorify You through my every action and circumstance. I want to pour out joy to the world, just as You have called us to do. I no longer want a complaining spirit, but one of pure joyfulness that comes from You and can only be fulfilled by You and You alone. Lord, allow me to focus less on my circumstances and more on Your faithfulness. Allow me to trust that You are weaving a beautiful work in me, even in this dark season. I want to please You in my every day. I pray that gratitude is no longer transient but that it becomes a permanent quality of my character in You. Jesus, I thank You for what You did, have done, and will do for me. I ask that You bless me in transforming me to be like You. Amen.]