It is no surprise that we live in a wild world. All across the globe, there are wars and rumors of wars, nation rising against nation, tense political elections, sickness, disease, famine, and corruption. Closer to home, we face depression, anxiety, even numbness to feelings, loss, grief, and online bullying. It seems as if no matter where we turn, we are met with difficult situations and difficult times. How are we to find comfort, joy, and peace in the midst of it? The answer is simple: we lean on God’s word!
Jesus Was More Joyful Than Anyone on Earth
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions. - Psalm 45:7 ESV
Jesus was the most joyful person to ever live, as He was “anointed with the oil of gladness” beyond all of His companions. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life and even though He was without sin, many sins were done against Him. He was mocked, betrayed by Judas, beaten with a Roman whip, and He was sentenced to die even though He was 100% innocent. When He gave His life for all of us on the cross, it says that He considered it a joy!
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God - Hebrews 12:2 ESV
It’s such good news to know that Jesus was able to maintain joy and peace even though He endured much suffering. This doesn’t mean that we need to live in denial or act like our problems aren’t bothering us – in fact, it’s the opposite! Jesus is compassionate.
He wept at the tomb of Lazarus when He found out that Lazarus had died (John 11:1-44). Jesus also wept bitterly in the garden of Gethsemane when He knew His hour had come, even sweating drops of blood due to the intense anxiety of knowing He would face a Roman crucifixion (Luke 22:39-46).
After death, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, and appeared to His disciples and to many others as well, even letting ‘doubting Thomas’ feel the holes in His hands and feet in His resurrected body (Matthew 27:51-53, John 20:24-29). Jesus has conquered death, hell, and the grave and to this day, He continues to offer His joy, peace, and hope to all who believe in Him!
Jesus Promised Us Peace
Jesus has been promising and giving peace since He arrived in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. Prophecies in the Old Testament affirm His peace giving nature and His own words in the New Testament reveal that He is the hope, joy, and peace that is available for everyone who would believe in Him. In Jesus, we see the fulfillment of the peace of God. Right before Jesus was about to be betrayed, He said these words to His disciples:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - John 14:27 NIV
Now, the main part left for us as followers of Jesus, is to learn to trust God, give Him our burdens, and receive His peace that surpasses understanding!
Feeling anxious or worried? The Bible has a remedy for that. Renew your mind with our article: 21 Bible Verses For When You Feel Anxious or Overwhelmed
Scriptures for Joy & Peace
There are several joy and peace scriptures in the Bible and the Apostles even refer to Jesus as the God of Peace. Here are some of are favorite peace and joy Scriptures:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. - Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
This verse in Galatians is the essential love, peace, and joy Bible verse that you may remember from Sunday school! Thankfully, this peace and joy Scripture isn’t just something that’s nice to have memorized, it’s a living reality for those who have given their lives to Jesus! Because of the Holy Spirit living in us on the inside, we can have the peace of God ministering to us at all times, everyday, in our hearts and in our minds.
Want to give your life to Jesus? Check out our guide on how to welcome Jesus into your heart: Jesus Died for You!
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. - 2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV
It’s so comforting to know that our God is known as a God of Peace. The apostles who wrote the New Testament often refer to Jesus as the God of Peace. This peace of God verse is incredible because it reassures us that God is able to give us peace at all times, in every way, and that Jesus promises to be with us always.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life ? - Matthew 6:25-27 NIV
Even right now: pause, take a deep breath, and read these words again. “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink…who of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” While we may feel semi-powerful when we’re in a state of worry, gaining a false sense of control by analyzing our circumstances, we know that Jesus is the calm in the storm that we’re looking for. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and needing joy and peace, try praying this prayer:
“Father, I need your help. Please give me grace to trust that You will take care of me, providing all that I need for today. Would you give me grace to trust You though it feels like my world is falling apart? Give me strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. Take away this heaviness, overwhelm, and fear from me. Jesus, give me the peace that you promised and help me to see, feel, and know that You are with me. Thank you for meeting my needs and helping me today. In Jesus Name, Amen”.
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains - Matthew 24: 6-8 NIV
Jesus prophesied about the times we are living in today. These sorts of passages in the Bible like Matthew 24, the Book of Revelation, and the book of Zecheriah are often referred to as Scripture around the “last days” or the “end times”. In the midst of all of this, Jesus warns us: “see to it that you are not alarmed.” When you’re feeling overwhelmed around the state of the world, here is a prayer to pray:
“Father in Heaven, thank you for sending your son Jesus to the earth. Thank you that you’ve promised to send Him back to earth again to make all things new and wrong things right. Would you give me grace to not be alarmed by what’s happening in the world? Help me to be still and know that you are God. As I go about my week, please help me to bring Heaven to earth and follow the ways of Jesus. Give me the strength to say ‘no’ to fear and ‘yes’ to your love. Thank you that you are a promise keeping God who works all things together for the good of those who love you. In Jesus name, Amen.”
Spiritual Tools to Find Joy & Peace in Difficult Times
1. Pray:
Prayer is potentially the most powerful tool in the world. Through prayer, the sick are healed and the dead are raised. Through prayer, demons flee and souls are saved. Prayer can be as simple as “help.” You can discover more about the power of prayer through our prayer resources at Ask About My Faith.
2. Fast:
Fasting can take many different forms. You can do a Daniel Fast, an Esther Fast, a Media Fast, or simply skip a meal for the sake of prayer. Fasting is a great way to hit pause on the overwhelm of the world and to intentionally connect with God.
**Note: You should only fast if you are in good health. If you have outstanding health issues or are currently taking any medications, please consult your doctor before attempting a fast. If you’re struggling with disordered eating habits or have anorexic tendencies, please contact the National Alliance for Eating Disordered Hotline for free help today. Call 1 (866) 662-1235
3. Follow in the Ways of Jesus:
Sometimes all we need to do to find joy and peace in difficult times is to get out of our head and out into the world we’re called to reach. Some ideas to help those around you include:
- Building Blessing Bags for the Homeless | Blessed are the Poor | Matthew 5: 3-12, Luke 11:41
- Baking Cookies for Your Neighbor: Love Your Neighbor as Yourself | Mark 12:30-31
Practical Tools to Find Joy & Peace in Difficult Times
1. Abstain from media consumption:
When we pause our intake of bad news and doom scrolling, we increase our awareness of God’s presence and are far less anxious. Choose for a time to pause TV, social media, and the news. See how it impacts your mind, spirit, and body!
2. Get 6-8 hours of sleep:
Your sleep is essential to a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Make the practical changes to get to bed early to ensure you’re waking up rested, calm, and ready for the day. Struggling with sleep? Check out our resources to help your sleep: 10 Bible Verses to Read Before Bed to Improve Your Sleep
3. Be sure to stay in community:
Isolation is deadly to the soul. Stay connected in your local Church body through small groups, Sunday gatherings, and mid-week programming to create health in your relational life. Invite friends over for brunch, lunch, or dinner and grab coffee with family on the weekends. Jesus lived in connection with others throughout his entire life – we must do the same, no matter how difficult the times.
Though we aren’t guaranteed a life of rainbows and roses, we are guaranteed that God will be with us, for us, and alongside us the whole way. Be sure to listen to the Ask About My Faith podcast to hear real life stories of how God is helping people find joy and peace in difficult times!
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