It’s clear that this election has caused many in our nation to feel anxious, fearful, and even angry at times. In light of this, I want to invite us to pause and reflect on something that seems elusive yet essential in moments like these. I’d love to ask: How much joy are you experiencing right now? Not the kind that comes from fleeting moments or the latest success, but a joy that runs deep, untouched by the chaos around us. We live in an age where we’re constantly bombarded with reasons to worry, compare, and chase after things that promise happiness but never truly deliver. Yet, Scripture points us to something far better—a joy that’s rooted in what is unshakable.
The truth is, joy isn’t circumstantial. It’s not tethered to how well our life is going or how perfectly things fall into place. True joy doesn’t ask, “Are things easy right now?” Instead, it asks, “Is God present here?” Because when He is, joy can thrive even in the most unlikely of places.
The apostle Paul writes “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) Notice he didn’t say to rejoice when life is good or when all your prayers have been answered. He said, “always.” And the secret to this “always” kind of joy is knowing that the source of our joy is unchanging. God is still good, still with us, and still working, even when the world around us feels anything but stable.
This joy comes with a sense of perspective. So often, we get caught up in chasing what we think will bring us happiness—career success, material comfort, or even the approval of others. But these pursuits often lead us to burnout or leave us feeling hollow. Joy, however, invites us into something different. It calls us to remember that our identity isn’t wrapped up in what we achieve or how we measure up to others. We're already deeply loved and known by God. That’s where real freedom and joy come from.
What if we took that seriously? What if we chose joy, not as an emotion that comes and goes but as a discipline? A way of seeing the world, ourselves, and others with God’s eyes. We might discover that joy can coexist with pain, that it can sit quietly in moments of grief or uncertainty. And this kind of joy doesn't deny the hard things. It acknowledges them but reminds us that they don’t have the final word.
In the midst of the election anxiety so prevalent in our nation, I encourage you this week to lean into joy and let it take root in your heart—not because everything is perfect, but because God is present, and He is enough. In that place, we can discover a joy that truly lasts.
Peace,
Nick
The truth is, joy isn’t circumstantial. It’s not tethered to how well our life is going or how perfectly things fall into place. True joy doesn’t ask, “Are things easy right now?” Instead, it asks, “Is God present here?” Because when He is, joy can thrive even in the most unlikely of places.
The apostle Paul writes “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) Notice he didn’t say to rejoice when life is good or when all your prayers have been answered. He said, “always.” And the secret to this “always” kind of joy is knowing that the source of our joy is unchanging. God is still good, still with us, and still working, even when the world around us feels anything but stable.
This joy comes with a sense of perspective. So often, we get caught up in chasing what we think will bring us happiness—career success, material comfort, or even the approval of others. But these pursuits often lead us to burnout or leave us feeling hollow. Joy, however, invites us into something different. It calls us to remember that our identity isn’t wrapped up in what we achieve or how we measure up to others. We're already deeply loved and known by God. That’s where real freedom and joy come from.
What if we took that seriously? What if we chose joy, not as an emotion that comes and goes but as a discipline? A way of seeing the world, ourselves, and others with God’s eyes. We might discover that joy can coexist with pain, that it can sit quietly in moments of grief or uncertainty. And this kind of joy doesn't deny the hard things. It acknowledges them but reminds us that they don’t have the final word.
In the midst of the election anxiety so prevalent in our nation, I encourage you this week to lean into joy and let it take root in your heart—not because everything is perfect, but because God is present, and He is enough. In that place, we can discover a joy that truly lasts.
Peace,
Nick