Joy’s Story of Pursuing a Lifestyle of Joy

A key ingredient to enduring difficulties and challenges is joy, but that’s typically not our natural response when facing trials. More times than not, we complain, mope, and try everything we can to get ourselves out of hard situations. Yet, James 1:2 tells us that trials are an occasion for joy, an opportunity for gladness. So, how do we find joy in the hard places when we feel disappointed and distressed? What does it look like to live a lifestyle of joy despite the circumstances we face?

In this interview, it is my pleasure to share the story of Joy A. Williams, who found the foundation for joy in a hopeless season of life. That discovery led her to pursue a lifestyle of joy that enables her to endure life’s struggles with hope. We shared an encouraging conversation that will inspire you to discover deeper levels of joy with every problem you face.

My interview questions are shown in bold, and Joy’s responses are shown in italics. You can read more about Joy and find ways to connect in her bio at the end of this interview.

JOY’S SEASON OF JOYLESSNESS

Please share a little about the events that spiraled you into a joyless season of life, along with the emotions you experienced during that time.

Although Joy is my name, it has not always been my existence. As the youngest among my three siblings, I watched them attend and graduate from college in the traditional four-year period. However, with each tuition due date, this goal was quickly fading for me. After my sophomore year, my parents’ financial well ran dry. Financial aid or student loans were scarce. The additional disappointment of relationship stresses left me feeling distant from those closest to me.

I felt trapped by emotions that became heavier with time. Hopelessness and helplessness blurred my vision of a brighter future. Eventually, giving up felt more practical than looking up.

How did you process your emotions and cope with your disappointments in that season?

Initially, I didn’t cope well. I spent a lot of time alone. Ironically, I often played the card game Solitaire or watched soap operas featuring characters who had tragic storylines. Eventually, the “poor me” syndrome set in.

My parents tried to get me to talk to them or to talk to someone else about my feelings. But feeling empty and alone, it was hard to describe what I was feeling. I now know my refusing to get help was a mistake. When we’re in a crisis, we’re in an emotional bubble. If we don’t seek help from the Lord and skilled and compassionate people, the bubble could pop at any time.

What was your heart towards the Lord and your relationship with Him like at this stage in your life?

It may be surprising, but during this time I was involved in a campus ministry. However, my spiral occurred in the summer when I was away from campus. Looking back, I see how my awareness of God’s presence was more connected to my ministry involvement than a personal pursuit of a relationship with Him.

I knew little about spiritual warfare. I wasn’t aware of the dangers of isolation, if we aren’t spending time alone with God. 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) tells us “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Back then, I must have looked like a hot panini with a side of self-pity sauce. My lack of spiritual resolve and lack of knowledge of God’s Word made me vulnerable to his attack.

PURSUING A LIFESTYLE OF JOY

When did you decide to reorient your focus to pursue a lifestyle of joy, and what did pursuing joy practically look like for you?

One day my mom asked me a question. She said, “Where is your faith?” Through her, God threw me a lifeline. Up until that point, I was being hit by the enemy’s darts of depression, doubt, and fear.

Yet, in that moment, I sensed the Holy Spirit introducing me to the shield of faith. It is included in what Ephesians 6:10-18 describes as the Whole Armor of God. The shield extinguishes the enemy’s fiery darts in our spiritual battles.

I had no idea at the time, but my battle was connected to my calling. As I found the footing of my faith, I sensed God offering me His joy. (Psalm 18:18 and 19, 145:8 and 9) He delights over His creation and over giving us His redemption. Through a renewed faith in Christ, I experienced the exact opposite of my season of darkness and near defeat. I began to seek God for ways to walk out the joy He placed in me. It started with seeing myself as loved and valued by Him and being convinced that I always have a future and hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Since that time, what has helped you to maintain joy through difficult and challenging seasons?

Maintaining joy comes through developing a deep dependency on God and pursuing an intimate relationship with Him. Like Nehemiah, I can truly say, “The joy of the Lord is my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). I continue to learn how to release my fears and my desires and lean into God’s faithfulness and wisdom. I cling to this promise: “Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord” (Psalms 144:15, NLT).

Living with joy is possible for “those whose God is the Lord.” Otherwise, we may have moments of tremendous delight, without a continuous link to having joy. A few years later after my battle with depression, my injured relationships were healed. I married my husband (of over 30 years) and eventually, I earned my undergraduate degree. We have a son, and we have a life where walking by faith is not always easy. Yet, I shudder to think of what I would have missed if I decided to give up instead of looking up. The God who brought me through, is the God who still gets me through every tough season.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE JOURNEY

What has this journey to joy taught you about the Lord, and how have you seen His keeping power at work in your story?

I’m continually amazed my first name became my life’s mission. God’s mercy and grace are often the most evident in who He calls us to become, in spite of who we’ve been or what we’ve been through. While happiness may be our goal, through Christ, joy is a gift. Even when our version of happiness no longer looks possible or a cherished goal feels far away, we can still have joy in His redemption.

Of course, I know there are seasons of grief, and it takes time to recover from a crisis. However, that’s when we need to be unashamedly honest and receive God’s help. He often sends it through caring people and resources around us.

For me, true happiness is only possible when the joy of the Lord is found in my soul. It’s a sacred delight flowing directly from God’s heart to any heart willing to receive His affirmation of their worth and His purpose for their lives, even when life is painful.

What encouragement would you offer to women who are having a hard time finding or maintaining joy in difficult seasons?

Be honest with yourself. Putting unrealistic expectations on people, places or systems can keep us bound to how well or how poorly they meet our expectations. But we are the most emotionally and spiritually healthy when our expectations are in God. (Psalm 62:5-8)

Also, it’s important to embrace the power of rejoicing. (Philippians 4:4-7) As we refuel our faith with doses of gratitude, we are reminded of the ways we’ve experienced God. Being convinced He is good even when life is hard, is central to our ability to delight in His Word and in His presence. It is also helpful to find people of like-minded faith, where we can encourage each other in life-giving ways.

CONCLUSION

This concludes my interview with Joy. I would like to thank her for sharing her inspiring journey and wisdom with us. Her story truly is a testament to how the joy of the Lord keeps us through the trials of life. I hope you have been encouraged to persevere through your difficulties and challenges with unspeakable joy, trusting in the goodness of God. Be sure to connect with Joy on her blog so that you continue receiving practical encouragement to help you live your joy story!

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