Always joy.

Several years ago I determined that I needed to pursue the idea of rejoicing always (1 Thes. 5:16). I was in the midst of my own battle with depression and anxiety and not seeing the progress I would have liked. Healing, growth, transformation — these are all processes that take time, and I was most definitely growing impatient. I wanted to experience joy again, deep down, in my heart, without a doubt, joy.

As I read and researched and reflected, I finally realized to rejoice always meant being constantly aware of and grateful for God’s presence. Joy is one of the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22) and we experience it through the Spirit. When I began to focus on drawing closer to God and seeking His presence in all the minute details of my day, I began to reclaim my joy. Then, a beautiful thing happened, my joy deepened and grew. Just like fruit does not just magically appear on a tree or a vine but grows over time, so too did my joy.

There are many days where I still have to fight for my joy, but I am learning to trust that God is always with me, so joy can always be found. 

The prophet Jeremiah, while writing to exiled Israelites, recorded the following words from God, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13 NKJV). The Israelites had strayed and God was no longer first in their hearts. This call to them is His heart yearning for their whole-hearted return to Him. This promise was given to the Israelites, but it still applies to you and me today. Jesus Himself echoes this promise in Matthew 7 when He says, “‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (7:7-8 NKJV).

We can be assured that as we seek God, He will be found. He will draw us near and grow our joy in Him.