12 Bible Verses About Joy for When Life is Hard

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It’s not a sin to have sorrow.

If someone ever tells you that Christians should never be sad, don’t believe them because even Jesus was sad at times…and wept.

In the first chapter of the book of Job we see that Job’s sorrow was great.

In fact, his sorrow was so great that in chapter three we see that he didn’t even want to live anymore.

Ever been there?

It’s not a sin to have sorrow, but the question is this: where does our sorrow lead us?

For some, their sorrow leads them to alcohol and drugs.

For others it leads them to depression and they comfort themselves with TV, food, books or gaming.

Still others exhaust themselves with work so they don’t feel the pain. That was me.

I have two sons who are God’s gift to us, in fact I’d even say they are miracle babies because before I had our first son I had two miscarriages.

After our second son, I had two more miscarriages.

After the third miscarriage, I was so shaken and deeply sad that I couldn’t even talk about it.

It was as if just saying the word “miscarriage” would somehow make it real; and I didn’t want it to be real.

The sorrow in me was so great that I was afraid I’d drown in it.

So I comforted myself with work.

I would get up early in the morning – around 4:30-5:00 A.M. and throw myself into work.

I work at home so it’s already hard to keep proper working hours.

I would go to bed around 11:00 P.M., but because of the stress I carried, I wouldn’t sleep well.

My children and husband suffered because I often neglected housekeeping….and myself.

But it was a trap.

While the exhaustion drowned out the pain and sorrow, as soon as I would stop the pain would return. Why?

Because I didn’t turn to the only One who could give me joy unspeakable and full of glory!

Only in Jesus Christ can we find healing for our souls!

Today I want to share with you 12 Bible verses about joy that we can remind ourselves of in those times when sorrow overwhelms us; so we remember that joy is not dependent upon our circumstances,  it is not dependent upon our feelings.

True joy is supernatural and comes from God; it is a decision we must make every day – to live joyful lives!

12 Bible Verses About Joy for When Life is Hard

1 Peter 1:8-9 Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Psalm 43:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

Psalm 27:6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

John 16:22 “Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Psalm 30:5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

Isaiah 35:10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (I know this one doesn’t mention joy, but it has always been a comfort to me)

Proverbs 10:28 The hope of the righteous will be gladness,
But the expectation of the wicked will perish.

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