Life is filled with difficulties and trials. We all face hardships, disappointments, illnesses, relationship problems, financial struggles, and other challenges. In the midst of these trials, it can be incredibly difficult to find joy and peace. However, as Christians, we have hope in God’s promises and sovereignty even during dark times. Though we cannot control our circumstances, we can control our perspective and reactions. The Bible provides wisdom and encouragement for finding joy in trials.
Remember God’s Sovereignty and Good Plans
One key to finding joy in trials is remembering that God is sovereign over all things. Nothing happens without His permission (Lamentations 3:37-38). He works all things, even hardships, for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Though we may not understand why we face certain trials, we can trust that God has purposes for allowing difficulties in our lives. He can use pain to refine us, draw us closer to Him, build our character, and equip us to minister to others (James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5). Recalling God’s sovereignty, wisdom, and good plans can give us strength to press on.
Focus on Eternal Perspective
This world is temporary, but eternity awaits all who have faith in Christ. When facing trials, it helps to focus on the eternal perspective. Our pain will not last forever, but our joy in heaven will be endless (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). We can look forward to a coming day when God will wipe away every tear and make all things new (Revelation 21:4-5). Cling to the promises of eternity, where there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. Keeping an eternal perspective puts our temporary troubles in proper context.
Pray and Seek God’s Presence
No matter what trials we face, we can always draw near to God in prayer. Pouring out our hearts to Him and crying out for help allows us to experience His comfort and peace (Philippians 4:6-7). Through prayer, we can also ask God to reveal any needed areas of growth or repentance. Seeking God’s presence sustains us during suffering. He reminds us of His love, promises, and power to deliver. Waiting patiently on Him renews our strength (Isaiah 40:31).
Give Thanks and Praise
Though counterintuitive, offering praise and thanksgiving to God during trials can lift our spirits. When we choose to worship Him even in pain, it reminds us of His goodness, sovereignty, and faithfulness. Praising God for who He is and what He has done fills us with joy in His presence. Thanking Him for blessings and past deliverances builds our faith that He will help us again. We can even give thanks for difficult circumstances themselves, knowing He will use them for good (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Cling to God’s Word and Truths
Immerging ourselves in Scripture equips and comforts us during trials. God’s Word contains countless promises about His love, grace, power, and purpose for suffering. As we meditate on His truths, our perspective shifts from despair to hope. We remember that He is always with us, He cares, He works for our good, He will equip us, He will turn mourning to joy. God’s Word is a lifeline providing strength, guidance, and comfort in the storm (Psalm 119:50, Romans 15:4).
Help and Encourage Others
During times of affliction, one of the best ways to find joy and purpose is by serving and encouraging others who are also suffering. Helping others takes our focus off our own pain. It also allows us to share God’s comfort that we’ve received, equipping us to empathize with the hurting. God sometimes allows trials in our lives so that we can better minister to others. As we give generously to meet needs, it lifts our spirits and fills us with joy (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
Trust God’s Timing and Process
We live in an instant gratification culture, but God often uses trials to develop perseverance and Christlike character in us over an extended period of time. Finding joy means patiently trusting His timing and process for suffering. As we yield to Him each day, He grows our faith and shapes us into the image of Christ. We can rest knowing that at the perfect time, He will bring our trial to an end and shower us with blessings (James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5).
Take Thoughts Captive
Our thought lives impact whether we experience joy or despair during affliction. When discouraged, anxious or despairing thoughts arise, we must take them captive and make them obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Replace negative thoughts with hopeful truths from Scripture. Set your mind on things above rather than earthly troubles (Colossians 3:2). Listen to praise music to direct your thoughts to God. Ask Him to guard your heart and give you right thoughts and attitudes in the trial.
Remain in Christ
Jesus is the source of true, enduring joy that cannot be taken away (John 15:11). The key to maintaining joy in affliction is remaining in close fellowship with Him daily through prayer, worship, Scripture, community, and listening to His Spirit. He nourishes our souls and revives our hearts when we wait on Him (Isaiah 40:31). Abiding in Christ allows His supernatural peace to rule our hearts even when trials come (Philippians 4:7). His presence gives us strength to endure.
Look for Ways to Serve and Bless Others
During difficult times, one of the most powerful ways to maintain joy is to get our focus off ourselves and look for ways to be a blessing to others facing trials. God comforts us in affliction so that we can comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). When we serve, give generously, and meet pressing needs in Jesus’ name, He fills our hearts with supernatural joy and peace (Acts 20:35). Ministering to others gets our eyes off our pain.
Count Your Blessings
It is easy during trials to focus only on our hardships, but intentionally counting blessings cultivates joy and gratitude. Make a list of all the good gifts God has given you—salvation, family, friends, provisions, health, strengths, abilities, nature, growth, happy memories, His grace and goodness, etc. Remembering the blessings we do have helps us rejoice in the Lord always, no matter our circumstances (Philippians 4:4).
Look for Spiritual Growth
One way to find joy in affliction is looking for the spiritual growth God is producing through the trial. Difficulties refine our faith and develop Christlike character in us as we depend on God (Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4). We can ask God to reveal what He wants us to learn through this hardship. Seeing how He is using the pain to transform us gives us hope and purpose. Trials equip us to better minister to others (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
Cry Out to God Honestly
God invites us to pour out our hearts to Him honestly in prayer, including lamenting, tears, and requests for deliverance. The Psalms are filled with David’s raw, unfiltered cries to God in pain. Crying out openly to God relieves burdens from our hearts and allows us to experience His comfort and companionship in suffering (Psalm 13, Psalm 28:6-9). He welcomes our vulnerability and desires an intimate relationship.
Trust His Heart When You Cannot Trace His Hand
Often in trials, we cannot understand all God’s purposes and reasons behind the pain. We will not have the full picture until we reach eternity. However, we can still trust God’s heart, character and promises when we cannot trace His hand or comprehend all He is doing. Cling to faith that His plans are good and He is with you in love. Ask Him for a deeper understanding, but if clarity doesn’t come, keep trusting (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Remember You Are Not Alone
When affliction hits, we may feel forsaken and alone. But God promises His children we never face trials by ourselves. He will never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). Jesus faced every temptation and hardship, so He understands and has compassion for our weakness and pain (Hebrews 4:15-16). The Holy Spirit dwells within us offering supernatural comfort, strength, and counsel (John 14:16-17). We have support from spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ (Galatians 6:2).
Look for Small Joys Each Day
In the depths of hardship, look for small joys, blessings, and encouragements each day. Appreciate the beauty of nature, time with loved ones, or comforts God provides. Find uplifting music, movies, books, messages, or time in His Word that bring small moments of joy. Seek to live one day at a time and find the good gifts God gives that day amidst the pain. Small joys help us endure suffering and renew our hope.
Recall God’s Faithfulness in the Past
Remembering how God brought us through past trials builds faith that He will help us again now. As a loving Father, He promises to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Reflect on stories in the Bible where He sustained and delivered His people in affliction. Let testimonies of modern believers encourage you. Make a list of the ways He showed His faithfulness, protection and provision in your life in past trials. This strengthens hope.
Surrender Control to God Daily
Much anxiety and despair in trials stems from trying to remain in control of everything ourselves. But only God is truly sovereign and all-powerful. To find peace, we must surrender control to Him, trusting that He knows best (Proverbs 3:5-6). Lay your burdens at Jesus’ feet and acknowledge you cannot handle this alone. Give Him your pain, questions, and requests each new day. Entrust your life fully into His hands and rely on His strength.
Ask God to Reveal His Purpose and Plans
Not knowing “why” this trial came can often lead to anxiety, anger or despair. We find hope when we ask God to give us understanding about His purpose and plans for our affliction. There are biblical examples of Him revealing purposes for trials to His children, like preparing them for ministry (Genesis 50:20, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7). He knows the blueprint while we see only one thread. Cry out for Him to reveal His hand at work.
Accept Difficult Emotions, But Don’t Stay Stuck
Trials understandably produce painful emotions—sadness, fear, anger, grief, anxiety, despair. God created us with emotions and allows us to pour out our anguish to Him. However, we must be careful not to get stuck dwelling on negative thoughts and emotions that lead to depression. We can acknowledge our feelings without letting them overtake us. Pray and trust the Holy Spirit to comfort, heal, and fill you with supernatural hope and joy beyond understanding (Nehemiah 8:10).
Remember Heaven Awaits
Our struggles on earth are brief in light of eternity. At the end of your life, you will be ushered into the glories of heaven where all trials, pain and sorrow will cease. God will wipe away every tear and make all things new (Revelation 21:4). Remember that nothing compares to the coming joy of forever dwelling in God’s presence (Romans 8:18). Set your mind on heavenly realities that will soon be your experience forever as you trust in Christ.
Fill Your Mind with Truth and Praise
Combat negative thinking and emotions in trials by continually filling your mind with truth from God’s Word, praise music, testimonies of faith, and reminders of His promises. Write encouraging Bible verses on notecards and post them around your home. Play praise songs that help you focus on God’s sovereignty, love and faithfulness. Listen to sermons and stories of believers who have endured. Saturating your mind with truth stabilizes and comforts you.
Persevere in Hope
God often uses trials to develop perseverance and proven character in us (Romans 5:3-4). We persevere by facing each day in hope, asking for strength for today and believing God has good plans for our tomorrow. Look back and see what you have already overcome with God’s help. Be patient as God completes His refining work in you (James 1:2-4). You can endure this with His sustaining grace (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Remain in an Attitude of Gratitude
Cultivating consistent gratitude, even during trials, helps sustain joy and peace. Thanking God leads us into His presence where we find comfort and rest. When we reflect on blessings, it lifts our eyes from our circumstances to see God’s goodness all around. We can give thanks for hardships themselves knowing He will use them for our growth and His glory (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Gratitude affirms God’s sovereignty over all things.
Allow God to Comfort You
We serve a God of all comfort who heals the brokenhearted and binds up the wounded (Psalm 147:3, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Make time to be still in God’s presence, pouring out your grief and pain to Him, and receiving His comfort. Let Him speak words of life and truth into your spirit. God sometimes comforts us through spiritual mentors, supportive friends, therapeutic techniques, or His Word. Seek comfort diligently from spiritual sources.
Refuse Self-Pity and Destructive Thoughts
Falling into self-pity and dwelling on negative thoughts during trials leads only to greater despair and robs us of joy. We must choose each day to take wrong thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Humbly bring your thought-life before God and ask Him to renew your mind and give you perspective (Romans 12:2). In faith, recognize that this trial will end, God promises good plans for you.
Help Others See God during Your Trial
When others watch us enduring affliction with God’s strength, it makes His glory shine. People see that He indeed gives peace and joy beyond understanding when we look to Him. Our lives testify that His grace is sufficient and He comforts the downcast. Joy in trials shows the world that our hope is built on Christ. Ask God to use your perseverance and joy to point many to Him (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Trust God to Carry You through the Trial
We often try to muscle through trials relying on our own strength. But God wants us to rely on Him to carry us each step. The Bible says He supports the weary and strengthens the powerless (Isaiah 40:29, Isaiah 41:10). Remember that in your weakness, His power and strength is made perfect (2 Cor. 12:9). Keep your eyes on Jesus. He will give you His rest when you let Him shoulder your burdens (Matthew 11:28-30).
Rejoice in the Lord
We can rejoice in the Lord Himself even when trials come. He is always good, loving, sovereign, powerful, faithful and true, regardless of our circumstances. Fix your eyes on Jesus and who He is. Praise Him as your rock, salvation, hope and joy. Let your heart overflow with thanksgiving for His sacrifice on the cross and victory over death. He remains worthy of our joy and praise at all times (Habakkuk 3:17-19).
In summary, although trials are inevitable in this life, we as Christians have unshakable hope and joy in God. He walks with us through every hardship. As we rely on His strength rather than our own, pray, give thanks, keep an eternal perspective, immerse ourselves in Scripture, and serve others, He fills us with supernatural joy and peace. Cling to the truths of God’s Word and promises. He will carry you through every storm. You can rejoice in Him and find purpose even in the darkest valleys of life.
