Looking for Hope: Finding Joy

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." — Hebrews 10:23

I’ve been looking for hope all month long.

This month’s verse has been on our schedule for over a year, and just now, in this specific season I need it, like way down deep in me I need the hope promised in this verse. In some hopeless moments, I’ve personalized this verse saying, “Hold unswervingly to the hope you profess, because he who promised it is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). You are faithful. Not me. Not my circumstance. I will hold unswervingly to you. And I’ve released (mostly) my white-knuckle grip on control and solutions, and I’ve tentatively stepped out with my whole heart onto the hope that is solid, has been solid, and will be solid.

And right here, standing on the hope of Jesus, I’ve found something that I lost for a minute there: JOY! I’ve found myself singing in my kitchen and dancing in my car—things I only do when joy spills over (things which incidentally embarrass and annoy all my people). And I was reminded of this small scrap of scripture, “Be joyful in hope” (Romans 12:12). Do you remember that verse from way back in January? There is a strong correlation between joy and hope. When our hope is in the right place, joy overflows. And the reverse is also true.

When our hope is in the wrong place, joy is absent.

I know this is true…like in my head. Even so, I make this mistake so often. In fact, this time last year I really struggled for joy because I’d misplaced my hope in a person (not Jesus), and when he left, my joy left too. And here’s the funny thing, I had just started writing our new Bible study, and the first verse was about joy (of course it was). Anyhow, I just had to share this story I wrote in that season with you.

SEARCHING FOR JOY

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” — Philippians 4:4

Personally, I’ve been on the lookout for joy all week.

My oldest son left for college a few short days ago, and I feel his absence deeply—after school, at our table, at church. He’s not here. He’s off living his life, following his next step. This move is right and good. He’s so completely ready. In my mind I know I should be rejoicing. But this momma’s heart is struggling to do so. It’s like a part of me moved away when he did. And I’m having trouble finding joy.

It feels ironic, maybe even a bit hypocritical, to encourage you to rejoice when rejoicing is the very thing I’m struggling to do. But maybe, just maybe, God, in His mercy, has me in the thick of this struggle right now because you might also be in the thick of a similar one. Maybe you’re having trouble rejoicing in some circumstance—a diagnosis, a difficulty, a relationship. Maybe this is a raw place for you. I pray I can walk tenderly with you through this verse, knowing joy can feel elusive at times. That’s how it feels for me right now.

I agree with the verse in my mind (I have so many reasons to rejoice in the Lord!), yet in my heart, I feel affronted. I’m knocked down. Can I make myself rejoice? Can I say this verse with any real honesty? At first read it bothers me that Paul commanded rejoicing. It feels like he shouldn’t. It feels like Paul is following me around as I recite this verse, poking his bony finger straight at my heart, telling me to do the very thing I can’t find in myself to do: Rejoice. And he’s relentless. He repeats it: Rejoice!

What’s an honest person to do? Fake it ‘til I make it?

Let me be clear: I want that joy. Like really, really! I’m not over here shaking my head with my heels dug in saying, “No way am I going to rejoice!” Quite the opposite. I want deep joy in my heart. I’m not sure how to get there, but I’m willing to try! So, here’s the first thing I’m doing: being honest with God about this struggle.

For the past couple of mornings, I’ve been getting up and fighting for joy with God’s truth. Here’s my approach:

I confess my inability and even unwillingness to rejoice.
I ask God to help me find my joy in Him.
I preach this verse to myself. Like all day long. When the waves and breakers of sadness roll over me, when someone asks if I miss Josiah or how I’m holding up, when my hurting heart swells to burst, I speak these words to my soul: “Rejoice in the Lord, always!” What’s that? Having trouble? “I will say it again: REJOICE!”

That’s it. And here’s the thing—it is helping. Significantly.

Why? God is always faithful to meet me in His Word. They are His words. True words. Words I need when things are hard, when I’m not feeling joy, when I feel anxious about my circumstances, or I just need direction. This is why I keep on memorizing His words.They are His words for me. Right now and always. I hope that as you memorize them, they would become His words for you also.

HERE'S THE UPDATE:

Josiah is still off living his life, he left to go back to school just a few short weeks ago. Was I sad? Yes. But not crushed, not left in despair. This time around I did a better job of keeping my feet on the solid hope of Jesus—telling myself not only to “rejoice in the Lord” but also to “hold unswervingly to the hope [I] profess” and to “be joyful in hope” because “he who promised is faithful” (Philippians 4:4, Hebrews 10:23, Romans 12:12). These are the words I’ve clung to, words that have helped me put my hope in the right place and find joy, God’s own words for me in this season and in every season.

So let me encourage you…you can do this too!

Get God’s words in your heart and mind. Let them be your lifeline and lifeblood, the way you rewire your thoughts and realign your affections. And at the risk of being pushy, let us help you do it. Go grab our new Bible study and memorize all of Philippians 4:4-9 with us. Can you imagine?! Knowing all those words from God by heart?! At the end of that study you’ll be able to tell your own self to “rejoice in the Lord” and to “not be anxious about anything” and “whatever is true…right…lovely… think about these things” and “the God of peace will be with you.” I’m just sayin’. This is what we want to give you (the actual best thing we could give you): God’s Word in you. I hope it blesses you like it continues to bless me.

Natalie Abbott

Natalie Abbott is the co-founder and chief content officer of Dwell Differently. She’s the co-author of the Dwell on These Things Bible studyand Dwell Differently: Overcome Negative Thinking with the Simple Practice of Memorizing God’s Truth. Natalie loves reading fiction, drinking hot tea, going on dates, and hanging out with her five growing kids. Natalie’s husband Jason is the pastor of Central Church in Jefferson City, Missouri where they currently reside.