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.

When I learned that this new devo series would be focused on a deeper life through joy — I got very excited. Several years ago, God helped me to see the difference between happiness and joy, and since then, I gravitate to all things that say, “Choose Joy.” It’s been a mantra of mine for several years now, and I rest in it often, knowing that God will bring me great joy — even in my greatest grief.

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Now, that’s not an easy thing, for sure. In fact, it is actually a choice — a choice made much more difficult in the confines of my brokenness. So, turning to God, relying on Him, trusting in His goodness is absolutely necessary to consciously choose joy.

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But let’s look at today’s Scripture for a little guidance — and hope. I love how it starts off: May the God of hope fill you…Our God is a God of hope. We can be joyful and confident of our eternal salvation in Him. Regardless of what this world looks like, regardless of the circumstances surrounding us, we have the hope of eternal joy in Him. And check out the Greek word fill — pleroo — meaning to fill or diffuse throughout one’s soul.  What is he diffusing throughout our souls? All joy and peace. This is a total and complete filling of joy and peace in believing. Believing that He is good. Believing that He is love. Believing that He wants what’s best for us. Believing that we will live in eternal joy and peace with Him.

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Let’s not miss this next part — it’s by the power of the Holy Spirit that we will abound in hope. We don’t have to rely on our own brokenness to abound in hope. It’s not something we can work harder at and get better at. It’s by the power of the Holy Spirit. Yes, Jesus! Thank You that You have sent Your Helper to us. That we don’t have to do this alone or in our own power. That we can live a life of joy and peace and hope!

As always, this makes total sense and is really inspiring — until the rubber meets the road. Then, it gets a little harder. How does this look in a practical sense?

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It’s all about focus — when we focus on ourselves and our circumstances, we can begin to spiral into a negative cycle of hopelessness. Let’s face it: life is hard, and there are hard things that happen to people all the time. But do those things change who God is? NO! God is GOOD — ALL THE TIME! So, if that is true, then how do we reconcile the evil and chaos that surrounds us? How do we live with joy?

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Again, knowing the difference between joy and happiness is vital. Happiness depends on the circumstances that surround me. Joy only depends on the love that lives within me as a follower of Christ. We also need to remember that this world is not yet how God designed it to be. His plan has not yet been fully fulfilled, so we live in a broken and sometimes evil world. BUT — and I need you to hear me on this — that doesn’t mean God isn’t good or in control!

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Know that in all the evil, God will bring good. We may not understand the bigger plan, but God lives outside of time, and his plan is always at work. He is always at work. He WILL bring beauty from ashes. We may just not see it or understand it.

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Here’s what I do to get my focus back on Him and off of myself. When lies from the enemy start bombarding my brain, I recall who God is. I start recounting his character — God is good, God is compassionate, God is peace, God is in control, and God loves me! Identify the lies and counter them with truth. Go to His Word and search for His attributes and meditate on them. And finally, remember that this is a process. In fact, abound in hope in this verse can be used of a flower going from a bud to full bloom – it takes time. Keep believing. Keep choosing.

God of hope. God of love. Wow! Knowing that joy is at handwhen I choose to live in your truth is so freeing. Knowing that I can recallwho you are and what you’ve done and choose to believe in your goodness bringshope abounding. Lord God, we love you so much, and we thank you that you bringjoy even in the mourning. In Jesus’ joy-filled, hope-filled name ~ AMEN!