Finding Joy When Your Heart Hurts
“You can find joy in the midst of brokenness. One of the hardest times to be joyful is when you’re dealing with multiple problems
—seeking solutions but finding none—
and then several new difficulties beset you. The way to encounter joy in adversity is to encounter Me. You can pray,
‘Jesus, help me find You in the midst of this mess!’ ”—Jesus Today, Day 67
“You aren’t listening to me. I’ve had enough. Get out of my house!”
Harsh, isn’t it? Brokenness reveals itself in so many ways. I recently felt very broken over a verbal misunderstanding. I knew that the other party could only see her way and felt that I was completely wrong. Exasperation grew when she failed to take time to listen to me, and I lost my temper for the first time in a long time. As a Christian, I felt extremely discouraged. My wrong did not help her wrong; it only made the situation more difficult. The relationship became broken, and it may be a very long time before complete healing can take place. My heart hurt, and I found myself asking the Lord how to move forward and find joy after the encounter.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
—James 1:2-3
Heavenly Father, I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I failed You, and now, I’m tempted to wallow in this brokenness. Forgive me for losing my temper. I want to do what today’s daily devotional advises. Help me find You in the midst of the mess.
When I turn to Jesus, I am reminded that my sorrow doesn’t have to continue. That in His presence, joy is always present. Trials bring joy. I know, it seems contrary to logical thinking. But James explains that joy can result from the trial because the brokenness results in stronger character.
Jesus, thank You for bringing joy to my heart because You are always near. I can find joy in You through my failures because You are all-powerful and ever-healing. I want to remember You take every wrong and make it right. Thank you for the reminder that You never allow loss without using it for my good and Your glory. Thank You for always redeeming pain through purpose.
The argument and broken relationship I described above were over my daughter’s care. Taylor has a rare neurologically degenerative disease. As her mama, I felt and believed one thing, and someone else who cares about Taylor believed another. Misunderstanding and emotional distress caused a broken relationship. A few days ago, the palliative home-care team came to visit Taylor. While it might seem a strange thing to find joy in that, I believe God brought someone to help our family keep her as comfortable and content as possible. I discovered joy in His provision.
God, would You transfer my thoughts of despair to thoughts of joy? Flood my heart with Your supernatural happiness. Fill me with the sense of rejoicing in Your power. Thank You for redeeming my mistakes and refilling my soul with joy.
“Counting it all joy” encompasses every detail of life, and honestly, I’m far from mastering it yet. But when I think about the word “count,” I feel a reassurance that God doesn’t expect perfection. You can’t get to one thousand without first simply counting one. And then two. And so on. Each of us can take the challenges one at a time. One day at a time. One moment at a time.
When finding joy seems difficult, run into the arms of your heavenly Father. When you’ve drawn as closely as you can, then remain there for as long as you can. Through spending time in His presence, you’ll obtain more of His perspective.
God, I trust You to transform my sorrow into joy. When I fall into trials, You lift me up. When I fail due to weakness, You supply strength. When my patience wears thin, You replenish my spirit. Thank You for ushering Your joy into my brokenness. Thank You for meeting me in the middle of the mess.
A special note about Taylor Wojnarowski.
Taylor was called home on January 2, 2019.
We express our deepest sympathy to the Wojnarowski family.
Rachel Wojo is the author of One More Step: Finding Strength When You Feel Like Giving Up. Her popular daily Bible reading plans on rachelwojo.com have reached over 5 million people. Rachel and the love of her life, Matt, run to the rhythm of 7 children in Columbus, OH.
My dad is battling Pancreatic cancer. This blog came in God’s perfect timing. At the beginning of 2019 I made a Joy Jar so on New Years Eve I could look back at my Joys for the Year. Finding Joy in the Journey is keeping my focus on God and not on my problems.
I love that you are using a Joy Jar to help you walk through this time in your life. Praying you feel the joy of the Lord in your heart today!
Please tell me how do you make a Joy
Jar ?
Thank you for sharing…. Rachel, God is using your experience with Him to bless many others.
Thank you for sharing Rachel. I too, am goung through the hurt of a broken relationship, on top of a physically broken heart. The trials of life are something that keep happening in this life, but you hit the nail on the head with everything you wrote. Drawing closer to Jesus makes everything look different and the joy of hos strength is overwhelming!
Thank you, as always Rachel for sharing with us God’s Word and your experiences. I really needed this today! God is so faithful, and if only I could forgive myself as quickly as He does….I’m very hard on myself, but He is faithful and just to forgive us. I feel so much better after reading this. My life is CRAZY right now, and I’m trying to be patient and wait on the Lord. I know that He will work it all out to our good and to His glory. Thank You God for your abundant mercy and grace!
I needed to hear this to remind me that I need to look for the joy after my husband of 45 years flew somewhere over the rainbow into Jesus’ arms 8 months ago. It’s been very difficult and more pain than I’ve ever experienced. God has recently been showing me some joy in my heartache. God bless you!
Bless you Susan I too lost the love of my life Jan 20, 2018 We were married 52 years i miss him terribly I would strongly encourage you to meet other widows and socialize together Share your feelings with each other and always always lean on Jesus, your new husband Isaiah 54:5
I recently lost my sister to cancer. We were so close, talked multiple times a day and I miss her so much. Chosing joy (also one of my favorite songs from For King and Country) has helped me get through each day. I told her as she was going through her fight the quote that not every day is good, but there is good in every day. I choose joy…
I’m struggling with a statement you made. And it is in many current Christian songs. “You took my wrongs and made them right.” I believe Jesus redeems our mistakes, but I cannot see how He makes wrongs to be right. How can murder or lying be made right? They have caused irreversible pain and consequences. It just seems like that statement oversimplifies he work God does in us, and sends the wrong message.
Rachel, I am sorry for your loss and joyful for all He taught you on that path.
Reen
Jesus does not cause the pain and he also let us know that in this world we will encounter difficulties and pains. However he promise he will never leave us or forsake us. Jesus walk with us through those pain. Murder and hurting others willfully does not come from God but from the evil one. But Jesus promise he will make all things work for good for his children. In my understanding even if in the moment I can not see the good. I must believe it will come in Gods timing. The good may be for me or for me to help others understand their pain because the pain and tragedy that It just happen or is happening in my life help me to sincere sympathize and be honest when I say to another I truly understand!
I was notified a week ago that a very close and dear friend of mine took her own life. I am very grieved over this. Through prayers and relationship with God, i am at peace. It is a reminder to keep in prayer and encourage each other in our walk with The Lord, New Christians and elder Christians.