joy in the journey

The Ultimate Guide to Find Joy in the Journey

What does it mean to find joy in the journey.

Would you consider yourself joyful? Would you like to be?  Doesn’t it seem like there is just not enough happiness or joy in the world today? That’s just not acceptable, is it?  Welcome to the ultimate guide to finding joy in the journey.

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” Right?

In this ultimate guide, we’ll dig into the Bible to see what God says about joy . And then we’ll discover tons of ways for finding joy in the ordinary as well as ways to find joy in the journey. There’s absolutely no reason that we should be miserable in this life we lead. Yet most of us are. We’re so focused on the end goal, that we forget to stop and smell the roses along the way. It’s time we slowed down a bit. Don’t you agree? So let’s get started.

What is the difference between happiness and joy?

Many people wonder if there even is a difference between the two.  Let’s look at the definitions.  Dictionary.com defines happiness as “the quality or state of being happy; good fortune; pleasure, contentment;  joy.”  I believe in this definition, the operative word is “state.”  I looked up the definition of state and found, “the condition of a person or thing, as with respect to circumstances.”  In other words happiness is temporary and conditional.

Joy, on the other hand, is defined as “the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation.”  If you are a child of God, that “something that is exceptionally good” comes from the Lord. Joy is part of who you are. It’s a fruit of the spirit.

Your joy doesn’t leave you when a negative event happens, like someone cutting you off in traffic or having a bad day. In other words, it is completely normal to experience finding joy in the ordinary, everyday aspects of life.

I believe that there is a very real difference between happiness and joy. Joy is a belief from the heart that comes from the Lord. It’s an internal emotion that doesn’t change regardless of what’s happening on any given day.  Happiness, on the other hand, is a surface-level emotion that’s based on external factors.  

For instance, you might think that finding true happiness might come from getting a raise at work, or a new puppy. But our happiness can change. For instance, if your lovable little puppy bites you or tinkles on the carpet. That might alter your mood a bit. I am a firm believer that you can choose to be happy if you want to. Then again, I suppose you might choose not to be happy as well.

What does the Bible say about seeking happiness?

In the KJV Bible, the word “joy” is mentioned 155 times.  The following Scriptures show how joy comes from the Lord. When you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you are filled with the Holy Spirit, and you become safe from eternal damnation.   This is where joy comes from. 

Let’s look at the Fruit of the Spirit. It’s called a fruit because it’s a product of the tree it grows from. Jesus is the Vine, and we are the branches. There’s only one fruit but there are nine traits of someone who follows Jesus in their life. Each trait reflects how the Holy Spirit is working in our lives. Joy is the second trait.  It’s not something we choose to do. It’s a by-product of following Jesus. 

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

What does it mean to find joy in the little things?

We know that joy is an integral part of a Christian’s life. So what does it mean to find joy in the little things? Thinking back to our quote, that “Life is a journey, not a destination,” the main message I get from that, is that we need to slooooow down. Take life in.

Literally, we need to stop and smell the roses. Enjoy those first sips of morning coffee. Linger in the intimacy you enjoy with your spouse and the hugs from your babies, regardless of how old they are. When was the last time you snuggled with your husband on the couch while watching a movie?

I don’t know about you. But even TV watching has gotten mechanical. We grab our dinner, turn on the tube and do almost the same thing every night. We need more spontaneity.  

Some ideas for finding joy in the little things might be tucking a note in your husband or child’s lunch box. Having dinner on a blanket in the yard. Shake things up a notch and break the routine that’s wearing the traffic pattern on your carpet. That’s what it means to find joy in the little things.

Keys to finding joy in the ordinary

Opening the lock to finding joy in the ordinary starts with some simple keys. If you are a child of God, that means that you have been saved by grace through faith. You have ever so much to be thankful for. You are a child of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ.  If you’re looking at finding happiness every day, this is a great place to start. 

Do you remember what David prayed after the prophet Nathan confronted him after he had been with Bathsheba?  David blew it! He sinned against God and he knew it. I encourage you to read all of Psalm 51 , but look at this verse:

Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Any time you fall away from the Lord, whether you consider it to be a major sin or a small one (hint: in God’s eyes they’re all the same,) repentance brings you back to square one. That is a huge cause for rejoicing. 

Remember, finding joy in the little things is possible if only you pay attention. Here are some examples: 

• A sunrise that unexpectedly shows up in the most beautiful colors 
• A sale on your favorite grocery items
• An unexpected check in the mail
• A phone call from one of your kids
• Finding $5 in the laundry (or even a quarter, because for me, any amount brings a smile.)
• That smile you see when hubby walks through the door after a long day at work
• The love of your pet
• A gentle breeze on a hot day
• Listening to the birds singing
• I could go on and on….

7 Ways to find joy in the journey

There are many ways of finding joy in the ordinary. But I have found that there are some main umbrellas under which you can find happiness in small things.  Let’s start with the list. Then we’ll break them down.

• Remember our goal is to seek ye first the kingdom of God

Stay positive

Count your blessings.

• Remember that Garbage in = Garbage out
• . Finding joy in simple things

Stop waiting for things to bring you joy

Remember our goal is to seek ye first the kingdom of god.

If you’ve been saved by the grace of God, you’ve got eternal security.   I can’t think of a better place to start where we can find joy in the Lord.  Eternal security means spending eternity with Jesus. I definitely prefer that over the alternative,  don’t you? I mean, we’re talking forever here. If you need some guidance, here are the basics for growing your faith in God.

Joy can be found by serving God, following Him, spending time in close communion with Him in prayer. As we look back on answered prayers, we can be reminded of how often and how great God works in our lives. This is why I’m a huge proponent of keeping a gratitude list or gratitude journal . It gives us a place to record those blessings. 

Let me help you start. Grab your free 7-day Cultivate a Grateful Heart printable journal.

Joy can also be found by delighting in the Word of God . Scripture tells us of God’s goodness. So it’s proper for us to rejoice in Him. We don’t just rejoice for what He’s given us, but for who He is. We give thanks and praise His holy name. 

And by staying in His will, He bestows wisdom, knowledge and joy upon us. Our study of and closeness with the Lord keeps us finding joy in the Lord, throughout our whole journey of life.

Psalm 119:111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

Psalm 97:11-12 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness .

Ecclesiastes 2:26a For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy:

We often find ourselves saying yes to so many good things. We become distracted and along the way, we lose our joy in the process. Remember, it’s about how to find joy in the journey, not just getting to the destination.

It’s possible to be busy doing good things all in the name of Jesus, but without actually being with Him. Remember don’t choose your to-do list over sitting at Jesus’ feet. Remember the story of Mary and Martha?   Martha chose the busy work, while Mary sat at Jesus’s feet.

Yes, we all have things that need to be done. But if we lose track of our priorities, we could miss out on finding joy in simple things. Remember simple and necessary things consist of Jesus, family, and other important things, so slow down and stay focused.

John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Another critical factor of joy is positivity.  As a survivor of flesh-eating bacteria and quadruple amputations , part of my recovery was keeping a positive mindset.  I have never approached my life, seeking joy in the journey from a pessimistic perspective.  I wonder, is it even possible? 

Finding happiness in the little things starts with waking up daily, thankful for all the blessings from God . I’m also thankful for the opportunity to wake up with a smile on my face. As a mom, our kids learn from us. They learn from what we say, but also from our actions. 

I always wanted to teach my kids to find joy in the journey. I would never be able to do that with a negative heart and a woe-is-me attitude. Life without hands and feet is hard enough. But if I lived in a constant pity party, what would that teach them? It is certainly not an acceptable lesson from a child of God. 

We’ve already talked about being thankful. So that’s why it’s one of my top tips for finding joy in the journey. I believe that you can find a silver lining in every dark cloud. You just have to look for it. 

If we pay attention, we can see many reminders of God’s grace in our everyday life. By looking at some of our negative experiences in life from a spiritual viewpoint, we can certainly see that God can use all of our trials and hardships for His glory as well as for our good.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

I don’t need to count your blessings to give you some ideas of finding joy in simple things. But I can give you some ideas of things that would go in my own blessings jar just from the past day or two.

• My morning coffee  
• Video chats with our kids
• Glasses for better vision
• Answered prayers 
• Being able to boldly go before the throne of grace, seeking sweet fellowship with Jesus 
• Great friendship and fellowship with our church family
• The privilege of buying groceries
• The love and support of my husband, kids and church family
• A great sermon and Sunday School class
• A big, fat ice cream cone
• A beautiful sunny day
• A quick nap on a busy day
• Being able to work from home
• Flowers blooming
• Crops from our vegetable garden
• The blessing of falling asleep after a couple of hours of phantom pain
• My husband’s willingness to attend to my pain several times during the night, even though he had a 4am wake up alarm for work

That’s a quick list I put together in less than 10 minutes. But I want to draw your attention to the last two items in my list. As an amputee, I suffer from something called phantom pain every so often. Briefly, it’s nerve pain that exists in the amputated limbs. In my case, it feels like my missing feet still exist.

My point, however, is that when hardships hit, look for the blessing. That activity will help you find joy. Yes, pain hurts. And phantom pain is like a hammer beating on my feet. But be thankful for your trials.  They help you grow spiritually, which is important.

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Remember Garbage in = Garbage out

Have you heard this adage? It basically means that what you put into your heart and mind, will be reflected in your words and actions. In other words, you are what you spend your time on, who you spend time with, the activities you participate in and the words you use.

The following Scriptures explain further, in the words of Jesus. Be careful what you do, because it creates habits that take you away from God and could ruin your witness for Jesus to others.

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Matthew 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Let me give you some examples about how garbage in equals garbage out which prevents you from finding joy in the ordinary:

• Spending time with worldly people results in doing worldly activities 
• Spending time with Godly people results in doing Godly activities 
• Watching R rated shows results in language and activities that Jesus would not condone and neither should you
• Finding joy in the Lord by reading your Bible has a far different outcome than reading books about death and trauma

These are just a couple of examples. Instead, aim for Quality In equals Quality out. Not only will it create a more joyful life , but it will result in a more positive relationship with Jesus.

Matthew 6:21-23 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Finding joy in simple things

There are so many things in life that will help you find happiness in the little things, once you have joy in the Lord.  Remember that salvation and safety from eternal damnation is the foundation of joy. It’s a joy that lives deep in your soul.

You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? We all know people who exude the hope, love and joy of Jesus .  In fact the Apostle Peter tells us that we should have a reason for people to ask us what it is that gives us hope. That means we must show it. With joy in our hearts, hope shows up.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

So how do we find joy in the little things? Stop and experience them. Put the cell phones and technology away. When you and your spouse are alone, are you both on your phones, texting, checking emails or scrolling through Facebook?  Or are you enjoying each other’s company, paying attention to the conversation and appreciating the time you’re together?

When your kids are playing, asking you to “look at me, Mommy,” are you really looking? Or is it an annoyance because they’ve asked for the millionth time? It’s so easy to not pay attention and assume that whatever you’re doing is more important at the time. I assure you that it’s not.

Because you will blink and they’ll be in their 20s. They won’t bother calling, because they think that you won’t care about what’s important to them. Why? Because they learned that truth when they were younger.

So please listen. Don’t waste this time. Enjoy the little things. Find joy in the journey.  Because it’s never about making more money or getting a better job. It’s about finding joy in the ordinary.

It’s never too late to experience joy. Start today, right now. It’s up to you to create a joyful life. Seek ye first the kingdom of God.  Then learn how to get closer to God . Let the joy of Jesus show through you.  Every day is an opportunity to refresh your joy in the Lord.  

The whole goal of this website is to help you rediscover God’s joy and peace amid the trials of your life. So, what can you do today or even right now to remind you of that joy?  This scripture and the Bible verses below should give you some ideas, as well as what the Lord thinks about the importance of joy in the journey.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Bible verses about joy and contentment

The Holy Bible is full of ways and ideas that guide you in your quest for finding joy in the journey. Jesus came to give us an abundant life and to guide us in the path in which to get it. Don’t be mistaken though. Jesus brings that abundance to our eternal life, not necessarily in this hard and difficult world we live in now. Below are some of my favorite Bible verses about joy and contentment. Plus, click for even more Bible verses about happiness and joy.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

John 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Psalm 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewel s.

Why should we find happiness in small things?

So what can we do to continue to find joy in the journey?  We start by living life with intention . We start by living our lives according to God’s purpose, not ours.  Living intentionally means that you are being intentional about your choices. You are making the conscious choice to do more of what’s important and less of what is not.

It’s so important that we seek God’s purpose in the everyday, ordinary things of life. Because when we seek to find the joy in the journey, and our lives are focused on living for God, extraordinary things will begin to happen.  If you enjoyed this post, please be sure to leave your favorite tips below. Then grab one of our freebies to become part of our One Exceptional Life family.

What are the little things in life that make you happy?

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Find the Joy in the Journey: Embracing the Road Trip of Life

What Does the Joy in the Journey Mean?

What Does the Bible say About Finding Joy?

In the Psalms, joy and rejoicing go hand in hand. Psalm 118:24 says: "This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it." NKJV The Bible says to be joyful because God has given you another day to live on this earth. Then be joyous because God is with you as you travel. Psalm 32:11 and Philippians 4:4 express being joyful in the Lord and making that joy known. As you travel and continue to seek God, Psalm 98:4 says to sing and shout your praises to the Lord. Add these Psalms and other scriptures on joy to your favorite bible verses to refer to when you need help finding joy.

7 Ways to Find Joy in the Journey

Here are seven ways to help you find joy in the journey.

When you go on a road trip, you usually make travel plans. Planning well increases your joy. The Bible talks about the need for a vision or a dream. Once you have a goal, you can get excited and joyful about your journey. God's Word has reminders that He has a plan for you, a good plan. It’s important to seek God and listen to His voice. Then follow His instructions to find joy in the journey. Psalm 23 explains that God will lead you, He will be with you, and you don’t have to be afraid.

You can use music to find joy. On a road trip, you may have music on the radio or even a special playlist created specifically for the expedition. When a song comes on, you may even sing along. Music can also help you in finding joy in the journey of life. Use music in your daily life and worship to rejoice with singing, praising, and thanksgiving. Music can transport you to another place and time. If you’re going through a less-than-scenic area of your journey, you can use music to brighten things up.

Purpose in your heart

Sometimes when you go on a road trip, you know that traffic will be heavy during part of the trip, so you make a conscious choice to accept that fact of the journey. In the same way, you can decide to have joy on the journey of life. You know that there will be some tough times. God has told you this, yet you can still find joy in the journey because it’s all part of life. Things may happen: such as job loss, physical pain, or issues with your physical health, yet you can still find joy despite a negative event.

Psalm 118:24 says we will rejoice. Will, means an act of will. In this case, joy is a decision and an act of obedience. Because God has blessed you with mercies and a new day, you will be glad, enjoy and lean into those blessings.

You may also enjoy:   The Secret to Using Your Senses to  Illuminate Joy

Give thanks and celebrate

When you go on a road trip, you’re already blessed to have a vehicle, money for gas and food, and family and friends to accompany you as you travel. God is the best gift giver. He goes way beyond new days and new mercies. Joy can be found on the road trip and in life as you count all the blessings God has bestowed upon you. Think about all the gifts, and then be grateful for those blessings. Rejoice and give thanks and praise for those blessings. Gratitude is finding joy in the journey.

Focus on the present

A common thing to happen on a road trip is to wonder, are we there yet? Once your focus is on the destination rather than the journey, it lessens your satisfaction. Try not to become impatient or allow negative thoughts to impede your joy. Focus on the present moment to find joy in the journey. The present moment is a meaningful part of the journey. God created the present to be experienced and enjoyed. You find enjoyment in travel when you look at where you are presently and give thanks for the moment. You can remember and assess how far you have traveled as long as you don’t get too focused on the past. Even if there is a detour in the original travel plan you envisioned, God will use the scenery you encounter on the detour to bring glory to Him.

Serve and give to others

Perhaps on the detour, you will encounter someone who needs your help or needs to hear your story. When you can help someone, it brings joy to you as well. You can find joy in the journey by serving and giving to others with your time, talent, and treasure. Being generous helps others while increasing your delight and sharing the love of God.

You seek the face of God by abiding with Him and inviting Him on the journey with you. Therefore, invite Him into your everyday life. Seeking God will build your faith. Strong faith assures you that any troubles or detours are small things.

When you go on a road trip, you see the beauty of God’s creation all around you. The more intentionally you are at looking at the scenery, the more beauty you see, the more in awe you become, and the more joy you experience. The same is true when you seek the face of God. The more you get to know Him, the more you realize how wonderful He is, the more in awe you become, and the more joy you experience. So seek God, praise Him, and find joy in the journey.

Final Thoughts on How to Find Joy in the Journey

Christians are blessed to have God take the lead on the road trip of life. Because He is with you, it’s easy to find joy. Knowing that He has a plan for you and that you can map out the vision for your journey will make you joyful to take action and get on the road. Having a musical playlist and singing praises brings joy as well. God has already stated that the journey will not be completely stress-free, but you can purpose in your heart ahead of time to be joyous nonetheless. Taking stock of your blessings and praising God during the journey, including detours, will keep you joyful. Perhaps the detour is a way to bring God glory. Remember to give and serve others along the way; you will receive joy in return. Most importantly, be intentional in seeking God so your journey will be joy-filled.

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About the Author:

Using her life experiences, from serving as a United States Air Force Officer to gaining her Doctorate of Dental Surgery, Theresa shares wisdom on the impact of spiritual laws regardless of time, circumstances, location, or leadership level.

In this way, Theresa is an insightful personal stylist of the heart, exuding the love of God and brilliantly relating how faith influences all facets of life. Her honest storytelling encourages others to seek God’s best for their lives while delivering perceptive action steps to help them make that life a reality. Visit Theresa online at www.p31virtues.com .

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Finding Joy in the Journey

By President Thomas S. Monson

President of the Church

Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family.

My dear brothers and sisters, I am humbled as I stand before you this morning. I ask for your faith and prayers in my behalf as I speak about those things which have been on my mind and which I have felt impressed to share with you.

I begin by mentioning one of the most inevitable aspects of our lives here upon the earth, and that is change. At one time or another we’ve all heard some form of the familiar adage: “Nothing is as constant as change.”

Throughout our lives, we must deal with change. Some changes are welcome; some are not. There are changes in our lives which are sudden, such as the unexpected passing of a loved one, an unforeseen illness, the loss of a possession we treasure. But most of the changes take place subtly and slowly.

This conference marks 45 years since I was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. As the junior member of the Twelve then, I looked up to 14 exceptional men, who were senior to me in the Twelve and the First Presidency. One by one, each of these men has returned home. When President Hinckley passed away eight months ago, I realized that I had become the senior Apostle. The changes over a period of 45 years that were incremental now seem monumental.

This coming week Sister Monson and I will celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary. As I look back to our beginnings, I realize just how much our lives have changed since then. Our beloved parents, who stood beside us as we commenced our journey together, have passed on. Our three children, who filled our lives so completely for many years, are grown and have families of their own. Most of our grandchildren are grown, and we now have four great-grandchildren.

Day by day, minute by minute, second by second we went from where we were to where we are now. The lives of all of us, of course, go through similar alterations and changes. The difference between the changes in my life and the changes in yours is only in the details. Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching come the changes.

This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.

I am what my wife, Frances, calls a “show-a-holic.” I thoroughly enjoy many musicals, and one of my favorites was written by the American composer Meredith Willson and is entitled The Music Man. Professor Harold Hill, one of the principal characters in the show, voices a caution that I share with you. Says he, “You pile up enough tomorrows, and you’ll find you’ve collected a lot of empty yesterdays.” 1

My brothers and sisters, there is no tomorrow to remember if we don’t do something today.

I’ve shared with you previously an example of this philosophy. I believe it bears repeating. Many years ago, Arthur Gordon wrote in a national magazine, and I quote:

“When I was around thirteen and my brother ten, Father had promised to take us to the circus. But at lunchtime there was a phone call; some urgent business required his attention downtown. We braced ourselves for disappointment. Then we heard him say [into the phone], ‘No, I won’t be down. It’ll have to wait.’

“When he came back to the table, Mother smiled. ‘The circus keeps coming back, you know,’ [she said.]

“‘I know,’ said Father. ‘But childhood doesn’t.’” 2

If you have children who are grown and gone, in all likelihood you have occasionally felt pangs of loss and the recognition that you didn’t appreciate that time of life as much as you should have. Of course, there is no going back, but only forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.

If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly.

Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, “They do not love that do not show their love.” 3 We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.

Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.” 4

In the 1960s, during the Vietnam War, Church member Jay Hess, an airman, was shot down over North Vietnam. For two years his family had no idea whether he was dead or alive. His captors in Hanoi eventually allowed him to write home but limited his message to less than 25 words. What would you and I say to our families if we were in the same situation—not having seen them for over two years and not knowing if we would ever see them again? Wanting to provide something his family could recognize as having come from him and also wanting to give them valuable counsel, Brother Hess wrote—and I quote: “These things are important: temple marriage, mission, college. Press on, set goals, write history, take pictures twice a year.” 5

Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows.

In the book of John in the New Testament, chapter 13, verse 34 , the Savior admonishes us, “As I have loved you, … love one another.”

Some of you may be familiar with Thornton Wilder’s classic drama Our Town. If you are, you will remember the town of Grover’s Corners, where the story takes place. In the play Emily Webb dies in childbirth, and we read of the lonely grief of her young husband, George, left with their four-year-old son. Emily does not wish to rest in peace; she wants to experience again the joys of her life. She is granted the privilege of returning to earth and reliving her 12th birthday. At first it is exciting to be young again, but the excitement wears off quickly. The day holds no joy now that Emily knows what is in store for the future. It is unbearably painful to realize how unaware she had been of the meaning and wonder of life while she was alive. Before returning to her resting place, Emily laments, “Do … human beings ever realize life while they live it—every, every minute?”

Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings.

Said one well-known author: “Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend … when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.” 6

In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 88, verse 33 , we are told: “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.”

The ancient Roman philosopher Horace admonished, “Whatever hour God has blessed you with, take it with grateful hand, nor postpone your joys from year to year, so that in whatever place you have been, you may say that you have lived happily.”

Many years ago I was touched by the story of Borghild Dahl. She was born in Minnesota in 1890 of Norwegian parents and from her early years suffered severely impaired vision. She had a tremendous desire to participate in everyday life despite her handicap and, through sheer determination, succeeded in nearly everything she undertook. Against the advice of educators, who felt her handicap was too great, she attended college, receiving her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota. She later studied at Columbia University and the University of Oslo. She eventually became the principal of eight schools in western Minnesota and North Dakota.

She wrote the following in one of the 17 books she authored: “I had only one eye, and it was so covered with dense scars that I had to do all my seeing through one small opening in the left of the eye. I could see a book only by holding it up close to my face and by straining my one eye as hard as I could to the left.” 7

Miraculously, in 1943—when she was over 50 years old—a revolutionary procedure was developed which finally restored to her much of the sight she had been without for so long. A new and exciting world opened up before her. She took great pleasure in the small things most of us take for granted, such as watching a bird in flight, noticing the light reflected in the bubbles of her dishwater, or observing the phases of the moon each night. She closed one of her books with these words: “Dear … Father in heaven, I thank Thee. I thank Thee.” 8

Borghild Dahl, both before and after her sight was restored, was filled with gratitude for her blessings.

In 1982, two years before she died, at the age of 92 her last book was published. Its title: Happy All My Life. Her attitude of thankfulness enabled her to appreciate her blessings and to live a full and rich life despite her challenges.

In 1 Thessalonians in the New Testament, chapter 5, verse 18 , we are told by the Apostle Paul, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God.”

Recall with me the account of the 10 lepers:

“And as [Jesus] entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

“And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

“And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

“And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

“And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

“There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.” 9

Said the Lord in a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith, “In nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things.” 10 May we be found among those who give our thanks to our Heavenly Father. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.

Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days—as much as we can—with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed.

In closing, I pray that all of us will reflect gratitude for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His glorious gospel provides answers to life’s greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where does my spirit go when I die?

He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to serve. He taught us how to live. His life is a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved.

The time came when He stood alone. Some Apostles doubted; one betrayed Him. The Roman soldiers pierced His side. The angry mob took His life. There yet rings from Golgotha’s hill His compassionate words, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” 11

Earlier, perhaps perceiving the culmination of His earthly mission, He spoke the lament, “Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” 12 “No room in the inn” 13 was not a singular expression of rejection—just the first. Yet He invites you and me to receive Him. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” 14

Who was this Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief? Who is the King of glory, this Lord of hosts? He is our Master. He is our Savior. He is the Son of God. He is the Author of our Salvation. He beckons, “Follow me.” 15 He instructs, “Go, and do thou likewise.” 16 He pleads, “Keep my commandments.” 17

Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His word. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude.

Brothers and sisters, my sincere prayer is that we may adapt to the changes in our lives, that we may realize what is most important, that we may express our gratitude always and thus find joy in the journey. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

77 Positive and Inspiring Journey Quotes

Embark on a journey of a lifetime with these inspiring journey quotes. Life’s a thrilling ride, filled with ups and downs.

It’s about braving the storms and cherishing time spent with loved ones.

So whether your path is spiritual, an exciting travel adventure, or just starting something new in life, let these quotes fuel your spirit for exploration and discovery.

Journey quotes to begin your path towards greatness

1. “Never give up on your dreams, no matter how painful and difficult your journey is.” – Lisa

2. “The journey is never ending. There’s always gonna be growth, improvement, adversity; you just gotta take it all in and do what’s right, continue to grow, continue to live in the moment.” – Antonio Brown

3. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu

4. “Sometimes its more about the journey than the destination.” – Jamal Crawford

5. “Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” – Arthur Ashe

6. “Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” – Greg Anderson

New journey quotes to inspire your success

7. “Not all those who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

8. “Sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.” – Drake

9. “Sometimes we make the process more complicated than we need to. We will never make a journey of a thousand miles by fretting about how long it will take or how hard it will be. We make the journey by taking each day step by step and then repeating it again and again until we reach our destination.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin

10. “Enjoy the journey and try to get better every day. And don’t lose the passion and the love for what you do.” – Nadia Comaneci

11. “Struggle teaches you a lot of things, and I am happy that I witnessed a roller coaster ride. The journey has improved me as a person and made me more matrure.” – Manoj Bajpayee

12. “Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind.” – Henri Frederic Amiel

Life is a journey quotes

13. “Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.” – Oliver Goldsmith

14. “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost

15. “Learn to trust the journey, even when you do not understand it.” – Lolly Daskal

16. “Life is a journey that have a lot of different paths, but any path you choose, use it as your destiny.” – Unknown

17. “The beautiful journey of today can only begin when we learn to let go of yesterday.” – Steve Maraboli

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18. “Life is a journey, not a destination.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

19. “Everyday you got a chance to make your journey more beautiful than yesterday.” – Nitin Namdeo

20. “Every day is a journey and the journey itself is home.” – Matsuo Basho

21. “Everybody has their own story; everything has their own journey.” – Thalia

Enjoy the journey quotes

22. “Enjoy the journey as much as the destination.” – Marshall Sylver

23. “Enjoy the journey of life and not just the endgame.” – Benedict Cumberbatch

24. “Enjoy the journey and try to get better everyday. And don’t lose the passion and the love for what you do.” – Nadia Comaneci

25. “Enjoy the journey, the destination will come.” – Verghese

26. “Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to enjoy your life.” – Joyce Meyer

27. “Dream big, stay positive, work hard, and enjoy the journey.” – Urijah Faber

28. “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance, and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.” – Oprah Winfrey

29. “Aim for the sky, but move slowly, enjoying every step along the way. It is all those little steps that make the journey complete.” – Chanda Kochar

30. “Enjoy the journey, enjoy every moment, and quit worrying about winning and losing.” – Matt Biondi

31. “Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey.” – Babs Hoffman

32. “I haven’t been everywhere but its on my list.” – Susan Sontag

33. “You must remain focused on your journey to greatness.” – Les Brown

Inspirational journey quotes

34. “You can never regret anything you do in life. You kind of have to learn the lesson from whatever the experience is and take it with you on your journey forward.” – Aubrey O’Day

35. “Life is a journey. When we stop, things don’t go right.” – Pope Francis

36. “There’s no map for you to follow and take your journey. You are Lewis and Clark. You are the mapmaker.” – Phillipa Soo

37. “I’m different than most people. When I cross the finish line of a big race, I see that people are ecstatic, but I’m thinking about what I’m going to do tomorrow. It’s as if my journey is everlasting, and there is no finish line.” – David Goggins

38. “We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.” – Marcel Proust

39. “Though the road’s been rocky it sure feels good to me.” – Bob Marley

40. “We are at our very best, and we are happiest, when we are fully engaged in work we enjoy on the journey toward the goal we’ve established for ourselves. It gives meaning to our time off and comfort to our sleep. It makes everything else in life so wonderful, so worthwhile.” – Earl Nightingale

41. “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.” – Steve Jobs

42. “If my ship sails from sight, it doesn’t mean my journey ends, it simply means the river bends.” – Enoch Powell

Motivational journey quotes 

43. “Make voyages. Attempt them. There’s nothing else.” – Tennessee Williams

44. “Gotta take that adventure in order to understand your journey.” – Jennifer Pierre

45. “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

46. “The beauty of my journey is that it’s always been pretty unpredictable, so stay tuned.” – Andreja Pejic

47. “The journey not the arrival matters.” – T.S. Eliot

48. “The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Gandhi

49. “The goal is to die with memories, not dreams.” – Unknown

50. “Never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering.” – Theodore Roosevelt

51. “The harder you work from something, the greater you’ll feel when you achieve it.” – Sudhashree Acharya

52. “Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.” – Pat Conroy

53. “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” – ILHQ

54. “When setting out on a journey do not seek advice from someone who never left home.” – Rumi

Positive journey quotes

55. “You may only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” – Mae West

56. “Every day you got a chance to make your journey more beautiful than yesterday.” – Nitin Namdeo

57. “Stay positive. Better days are on their way.” – Unknown

58. “Your destiny is to fulfill those things upon which you focus most intently. So choose to keep your focus on that which is truly magnificent, beautiful, uplifting and joyful. Your life is always moving toward something.” – Ralph Marston

59. “You make a life out of what you have, not what you’re missing.” – Kate Morton

60. “Every sunset is an opportunity to reset. Every sunrise begins with new eyes.” – Richie Norton

61. “Life is very interesting. In the end, some of your greatest pains, become your greatest strengths.” – Drew Barrymore

62. “Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think you’ve lost time. There is no short-cutting life. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time.” – Asha Tyson

63. “And suddenty you know…It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” – Meister Eckhart

64. “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” – Dolly Parton

65. “Your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude.” – Michelle Obama

66. “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

67. “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer

Journey of life quotes

68. “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” – Tony Robbins

69. “When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go.” – Carol Burnett

70. “Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” – Charles R. Swindoll

71. “You take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing, no one to blame.” – Erica Jong

72. “If all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all.” – Dan Rather

73. “It’s your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself that determines how your life’s story will develop.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

74. “Your Monday morning thoughts set the tone for your whole week. See yourself getting stronger, and living a fulfilling, happier & healthier life.” – Germany Kent

75. “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” – Lou Holtz

76. “Our lives are the journey we take to find our true selves!” – Alyssa Gonzalez

77. “Your braver than you believe, stronger that you seem, and smarter than you think.” – A.A. Milne

Which of these journey quotes were your favorites?

We all have the potential within us to be great.

But greatness isn’t about luck. It’s a choice.

We must choose to succeed and take steps towards it.

Remember, the path to success is a journey, not a quick leap.

Let these quotes inspire you to stay focused on your goals and dreams, no matter what obstacles get in your way along the path.

Helping people and eating tacos are my jam! This blog exists to help provide tips and resources that can help you achieve your goals and live a better life. Whether you’re looking for tips on personal growth, fitness, advice on starting a side hustle, or resources for working remotely, I’ve got you covered.

Joy Bible Verses

Joy is one of the most prominent themes of the Bible. From the very beginning, God’s plan for mankind has been to bring us joy and peace. Throughout the Bible, we see stories of joy in response to God’s blessings and celebration of His promises. In the Old Testament, the Israelites rejoiced and sang songs of joy when they escaped from the Egyptians and made their way to the Promised Land. In the New Testament, Jesus brings joy to those who follow Him, and encourages others to do the same. The Apostle Paul also speaks of joy in his letters, urging believers to be joyful even in difficult circumstances. The Bible teaches us that joy is a gift from God, and that it is something to be celebrated and shared with others.

Bible verses about joy can help Christians who may be going through a difficult season as a reminder of calm happiness through faith in God. Joy is rooted in who God is. It is not fleeting or based on circumstances. Worldly possessions, accomplishments, even the people in our lives, are blessings that make us happy and fuel joyfulness. However, the Bible teaches that the source of all joy is Jesus. God’s plan from the beginning, the Word made flesh to dwell among us, is rock solid, allowing us to navigate difficult situations without happiness while sustaining our joy.

Top Bible Verses about Joy

Romans 15:13 ~ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 12:12 ~ Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Philippians 4:4 ~ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

James 1:2 ~ Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

Galatians 5:22 ~ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

John 16:24 ~ Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Proverbs 17:22 ~ A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Discover more Bible verses about joy in this collection of scriptures. May these joyful verses bring warmth to your heart!

If you are longing for joy in the Lord, use this free PDF Bible Verses for Overcoming Grief and pray for His comfort!

James 1:2-3

Psalms 47:1, ecclesiastes 9:7, proverbs 10:28, 1 peter 1:8-9, romans 15:13.

2 John 1:12

Nehemiah 8:10.

Esther 8:17

Isaiah 12:6.

Philemon 1:7

Psalms 27:6, isaiah 35:10, proverbs 15:23, psalms 30:5.

Romans 14:17

Hebrews 12:2.

Helping Christian women with health issues cultivate a deeper faith in Christ so they can live an abundant life.

How to Find the Joy in the Journey Even When It’s Hard

A lot of people talk about wanting to find happiness. But happiness is surface level. It is conditional. And temporary.  

A better thing to seek is joy.  

Joy is deep. It’s not based on our circumstances. And it lasts.  

Living with a chronic illness that affects my everyday life, means I sometimes struggle to find joy. But because of Jesus, I am learning we can hold onto both sorrow and joy at the same time.  

I can feel sorrow over my disabilities and the way my health affects me. But I can also choose to feel joy over the good things in my life, my relationship with Jesus, and all the things He has promised me.  

Jesus is teaching me how to find the joy in the journey no matter what I’m facing.

Because joy comes from within.

It is a gift from Him.

God is the reason we can experience joy in every moment of our life.  

From the mundane. To the extraordinary.  

From the really good moments. To the moments when life is really hard.   

10) Choose joy.

What does finding joy in the journey mean.

Blessed is the life that finds joy in the journey.  

This is our goal. To live a blessed life by finding joy in whatever journey God has put us on.   

This means learning to be content with what we have and where we are in life. It means remembering how much we have been blessed. While letting go of the endless striving and stress.  

It doesn’t mean our life is going to be perfect. We are going to have bad days. Days where we complain more than we give thanks.   

The point is progress . . . not perfection.    

Finding joy in the journey means when you do have a bad day, you choose to lean on Jesus.

And ask Him to help you change your mindset.   

“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”     -Romans 12:12 NLT

How do you find joy in the little things?

To find joy in the little things we must learn to slow down. We must remember life is a journey, not a destination.  

It’s more of a marathon than a sprint.    

When we slow down, it’s easier to pay attention to the many reasons for joy all around us.   

• From the beauty of a sunrise.
• To the intricate design of a flower.
• To the laughter of a child.
• To the way a person’s eyes sparkle when they smile.   

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”   -Romans 15:13 NLT

How to Find Joy in Jesus.

Joy is one of the characteristics listed as the fruit of the Spirit. It is a trait the Holy Spirit works in us as we abide in Him.  

Jesus is the Vine. We are the branches.  

As we spend time with Him. As we learn to live our life in connection with Him, the Holy Spirit develops the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.  

Including joy. 

But how do we find joy when life is hard? When we look around at our troubling circumstances and see little reason to have joy?

How to Find Joy When Life is Hard .

Jesus came down to Earth to be WITH us. To laugh with us. To cry with us. To celebrate with us. And to struggle with us.   

He knows all too well what it is like to hold both laughter and tears in His own two hands.  

In fact, the Bible says Jesus endured the SUFFERING of the cross for the JOY set before Him.   

“For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” -Hebrews 12:2 NIV

Jesus felt both sorrow and joy. At the same time.    

Sorrow over the pain He was going through. Sorrow over being separated from His Father. And sorrow over our sin that was keeping us from Him.   

And yet, Jesus also felt joy.    

Joy because He knew what He was doing.

He knew He was making a way for us to be set free. He knew that soon everything would be over. It would be finished. The price would be paid. And the debt would be canceled.   

Jesus knew that because of Him, everyone could be forgiven.    

Jesus knows what it is like to hold onto joy and sorrow at the same time.  

He gets it.   

So, pour your heart out to Him. Let the tears unabashedly fall. And then raise your hands in worship of the God who loves you. And is always with you.    

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” -Psalm 42:11 NIV

How do I find joy in life?

By following these 10 helpful tips you can learn how to find joy in life.

1) Seek God first.

2) slow down., 3) be grateful., 4) stay positive., 5) pay attention to your environment., 6) fix your focus., 7) change your perspective., 8) remember eternity., 9) learn to be content..

These things will help you to live with more joy even when things aren’t going the way you want them to.  Or the way you thought they would.  

When we put God first, everything else falls into place. He helps us to find joy no matter what we face.  

In His presence, we find everything we need. 

Joy. Hope. Love. Peace.  

So, if we are feeling low on any of these things, then maybe we need to spend more time in the presence of our King.  

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.”   -Psalm 16:11 NLT

If we are always in a rush, then we will be too busy to notice all the beauty around us. We will miss all the reasons to be joyful. And all the little things that give life real meaning.

The more we give thanks, the harder it is to find reasons to complain.  

Simply by focusing on what we do have, rather than what we don’t, we end up feeling more content and joyful.  

If all we do is complain about our lot in life, it will be very hard to find any joy.  

But if we choose to look for the good in every situation. To stay positive and hopeful, it becomes much easier to find reasons to be joyful.  

God loves us. And He is with us.  

So, we have every reason to be hopeful and optimistic about the future. 

We can also remember that even the hard things are working good in us by:

• Growing our faith.  
• Developing our character.  
• And stretching us out of our comfort zone.  

Maybe this is why some people say the joy is in the journey. Because it is the journey that God uses to mold and shape us.  

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”   -James 1:2-3 NLT

We become what we are around.  

If we hang around negative people who like to complain. We will feel more negative and complain more.  

If we read or watch things that focus on everything going wrong in the world. Then we will feel more fearful and worried.  

This is why it is so important to pay attention to our environment.  

Pay attention to what you are surrounding yourself with. And if you need to, make some changes.

Even doing something as simple as turning on some worship and praise music as you get ready for the day, can make a world of difference in your attitude. 

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”  -Psalm 94:19 NIV

The Bible tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:2) 

If we focus on the world, we will find ourselves feeling depressed and stressed.

But if we focus on Jesus, we will feel blessed.  

His comfort, encouragement, and strength are exactly what we need to get through our busy days.  

And when we focus on Him, we are reminded that no matter what happens . . . we are forever held in the arms of the God who dearly loves us.  

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.”  -Psalm 5:11 NLT

Waiting isn’t easy. And when we are in a season of suffering it can feel like it will never end. But this simply isn’t true. No matter what we are facing . . . it won’t last forever.

Someday everything will be made right. And God has promised He will use ALL things for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28) 

So, while not all the things we face in this life are good. God can use them for good.  

And that fact alone is enough to bring us joy.  

“Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.”  -Psalm 30:5 NLT

“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.”  -Psalm 126:5 NLT

When we think about what we have to look forward to, it can bring us great joy.  

So, if we are feeling low on joy we should take some time to really think about Heaven.  

Imagine meeting Jesus face to face!!!

Think about being reunited with loved ones who have passed on, or getting to know ancestors you’ve only heard stories of.  

Go ahead and DREAM about what Heaven will be like.  

How tasty it will be to eat fruit untainted by the curse. To hang out with people no longer ruled by sin. And to gaze upon the beauty of God’s creation in a state of holy perfection.   

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.”    -1 Peter 1:6 NLT

“So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”  -John 16:22 ESV

Stop expecting to find joy in things. Too often we think, “When I get this or achieve that . . . then I will be happy.”  

But the truth is if you aren’t happy with what you have now. You won’t be happy when you get something else.  

Because there is always more stuff.

There’s always more things to do. 

And there’s always someone out there who has something better, newer, or cooler than you.  

The best way to find joy in the journey is to remember joy is a choice.  

We can choose to live stressed, depressed, and lost in our mess. Or we can choose to turn to Jesus.  

And allow the Holy Spirit to work in us to be more joyful people.  

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”  -Psalm 118:24 NLT

Finding the Joy in the Journey

Jesus helps us find the joy in the journey by reminding us that no matter how hard the journey gets. No matter how dark the night becomes. No matter how much sorrow we are facing . . . we have hope.   

The hope that no matter what happens in this life . . . in the end, God wins.   

And because He wins . . . we win.    

At just the right time, everything will be made right. There will be no more sorrow. No more pain. And all our tears will be washed away when we see our beloved Savior face to face.   

And that, my friends, is the reason we can find joy in the journey.

No matter what the journey brings.  

If you find this inspiring, then please share so it can help others! 

And don’t forget to check out these other encouraging reads: 

• How to Trust in God’s Plan When You Don’t Understand 
• 30 Bible Verses About Joy That Will Make You Smile! 
• How to Be Content in EVERY Circumstance 

You May Also Enjoy

How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others So You Can Find JOY!

15 Helpful Tips: How to Stay Positive During Difficult Times

How to Abide in Christ And Why It Matters

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