Joy in the Storm? Spoiler Alert… It’s Possible.

It’s easy to experience all the good feelings when life is going great.

The skies are sunny.

The weather is perfect for a picnic.

Your kids are getting along.

There’s food in the fridge.

A little cushion in the bank.

A promotion might even be in sight.

Everyone you love is healthy and doing well.

In seasons like that, it’s easy to smile. Easy to share. Easy to handle life.

But what about the stormy days?

The torrential rains.

The overwhelming moments.

The seasons that feel scary, heavy, or beyond what you can manage.

How can we have joy even in the storm?

Here is my five-fold advice. (Just my opinion, but it’s been tested my life in real time...)

1. Acknowledge the Difficulty

Sometimes the healthiest first step is simply saying:

“Wow… this stinks.”

This situation might be beyond your ability to handle alone—and that’s okay to admit.

Ignoring pain never heals it.

Honesty is the first step toward healing.

2. Go to Prayer

When storms come, prayer becomes our lifeline.

Ask God for:

• Peace in the middle of the storm • Wisdom about what to do next • Discernment about who to invite into the situation

Sometimes the greatest gift God gives us is clarity about the right people to walk with us.

3. Remember What God Has Already Done

This step is powerful.

The Bible constantly tells us to remember.

Remember the times God has shown up before.

The Bible is full of stories that follow a pattern:

Trial… then remember.

Hunger… then remember.

Sickness… then remember.

Bondage… then remember.

Heartbreak… then remember.

Our God invites us to remember His faithfulness.

I once heard Louie Giglio preach a sermon titled “Remember Before You Forget.”

There’s wisdom in that.

Store the stories of God’s faithfulness in your memory bank so when storms come, you can say:

“God has been faithful before… and He will be faithful again.”

Even if the outcome looks different than you imagined, His ways are always better.

4. Lean Into the Goodness of Who God Is

When life gets heavy, we must intentionally remind ourselves of God's goodness.

Take a walk and look at creation.

Flip through old photos.

Turn on worship music.

Open the Scriptures and read God's promises.

The Bible reminds us:

Pain may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning.

Those who sow in tears will reap a harvest of joy.

The joy of the Lord is your strength.

Jesus Himself said:

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”—John 16:33

Even in storms, we can anchor our hearts in the goodness of God.

5. Take the Next Step

Sometimes the only thing you can do is the next step.

Get out of bed.Take a walk.Sing a song.Clap your hands.

Believe it or not, there’s even science that shows singing and clapping can shift our emotional state.

But don’t walk through storms alone.

Invite wise people in.

Pastors.

Friends.

Counselors (look around for places who offer free peer counseling, in needed).

Small group leaders.

Trusted mentors.

Ask them to pray with you and for you.

We need intercessors.

What I’ve Learned

Over the past couple of years, I’ve learned something powerful:

Joy and sorrow can coexist.

It’s not always one or the other.

Sometimes it’s both.

And even when life hurts deeply, something in my spirit still sings with joy.

Why?

Because joy is a fruit of the Spirit.

It doesn’t depend on perfect circumstances.

It grows from being connected to Jesus. So please REMEMBER! When storms come:

• Acknowledge the storm • Be fully present and sober minded

• Remember the good

• Invite God (and others) in

• Take one step at a time

Joy in the storm is possible because storms do not last forever and you are not alone in them. If I can pray for you, please send me a note. You are not alone, even when you feel alone, there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother, His Name is Jesus! Cheering you on! Love always, Traci Jo