Cultivating Joy Through Scripture
- Sue Bowles
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 16
Have you ever noticed how it’s in our greatest trials that God feels the nearest? As I listened to the recent episode, “Joy: What Can I Do to Cultivate It,” with Nate Davis and Nicole Jacobsmeyer on the GraceStory Podcast, the story of losing my mother came to mind.
It was a Sunday morning in 2020 when my mom suffered a catastrophic stroke in her sleep. We rushed her to the hospital, and in the following four days, we fought for joy in the midst of losing her. I dreaded this day for years. I was saying goodbye to my mother. The woman who raised me and lived with me for the last 23 years.
After two days of tests, conversations, and visits from siblings coming from out of state, we knew we had to honor our mom’s wishes and let her go. But not before we sent her off with a party! In came the phone calls from her remaining sisters, voice and text messages from nieces and nephews, and even calls from very special friends with international ministries. We fought for joy in the midst of it all and even laughed as she took her final breaths.
While sharing her own story about her fight for joy through brokenness, I was struck when Nicole said, “Doing the will of the Father is what brings us joy.” She talked about the “hidden faithfulness” of God and the importance of “focusing on him today” even when you struggle, feel lost, or numb during life’s circumstances. Nate commented, “You may have to look hard for joy, but if it’s something you cultivate, and if you’re constantly working to find it in the highs and the lows, you can experience joy and peace as you walk through anything.”
That hidden faithfulness of God was seen at every turn, even though we had to make conscious decisions to look for it. When you watch for God in the little things, it’s easier to see Him in the big. Unknowingly, we were cultivating joy. One way we were able to do this was by going to God’s word. One verse that got me through this loss was John 4:50—"Go,” Jesus replied, ‘Your son will live.’ The man took Jesus at his word and departed.” Losing my mom put my trust in God’s word to test.
After my mom passed, I was an absolute mess. I was searching for my identity after being her caregiver for so many years. The only thing I knew to do was worship and read scripture; this kept my heart from becoming stone. I clung to my life verse, “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth, you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more” (Ps. 71:20-21.) I dared to believe. I went to several other verses, taking his word and carrying on, just as John 4:50 says. Deuteronomy 31:8 says God will never leave me or forsake me, so I believed him. 2 Kings 20:50 says that God sees my tears; I believed.
At every step, I made the hard choice to believe. As Nicole said, I focused on God today. It didn’t change the hurt, but it drew me closer to Him in it; this ended up cultivating joy along the way. Doing the will of the Father and worshipping Him anyway is what brings joy. It’s worth the fight.
Prompt:
Reflection questions:
Where can you cultivate joy in your present circumstances?
What are you reminding God of, trusting Him that His Word is true?
Write down five verses that remind you of His faithfulness. Carry them with you during the week, and take God at his word.
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