Spiritual Skill: Joy (wk. 10/13)
Finding Joy in the Hard Things
It was the end of a long day at work. Several hard conversations with employees and vendors. Physical plant issues that needed to be dealt with, etc. etc., etc. But now the workday was over, and I was headed to the gym for a heavy bench-press workout – my favorite! Unfortunately, that afternoon my bench-press workout went horribly. The bar felt heavier than it should have, and I missed a number of my reps. Too much grinding and stress earlier in the day had taken a toll on me.
As athletes, we’re familiar with the grind—early mornings, grueling training, and the relentless pursuit of excellence on top of our real-life work and family obligations. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, challenges mount. Injuries sideline us. The workday saps the best from us. Defeats humble us. Setbacks stretch us thin. How do we find joy in these hard things?
Habakkuk 3:17-19 offers a striking perspective:"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail, and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places."
This is the defiance of joy. Even when life feels barren—when victories are elusive, and the results don’t match the effort—we can choose to rejoice in God. Joy in Christ doesn’t depend on the scoreboard; it flows from His unchanging faithfulness. Joy is the external evidence of God’s internal work in our life.
Joy as a Choice
Athletes are trained to focus on what’s within their control. Similarly, joy isn’t something we wait for; it’s a choice we make. Habakkuk shows us that joy isn’t denial—it’s trust. We acknowledge the hardship but declare, “Yet I will rejoice.” This "yet" is the hinge of hope. It shifts our focus from what’s lacking to God’s sufficiency.
James 1:2-4 echoes this: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Trials aren’t meaningless; they’re refining us.
The Source of Strength
When we feel depleted, Habakkuk’s imagery of God giving us deer-like feet to tread on high places is profound. The deer he was referencing were mountain-dwellers: surefooted, navigating treacherous terrain with ease. God equips us to endure and even thrive amid challenges. The same strength that sustained Habakkuk is available to us.
In my own journey, I’ve seen how joy can grow when I lean into God’s promises during hard times. I’ve had seasons where everything seemed to crumble—plans faltered, results disappointed, and nothing went “right.” Yet, when I chose to grab hold of God’s presence, His peace and joy carried me.
Joy that Shines
Here’s the thing: joy in hardship isn’t just for you. It’s a story you get to share with other people. People notice when you’re steady in storms, when your hope persists. Philippians 4:4-7 reminds us: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near… And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Your joy can inspire fellow athletes and everyone watching your journey. Joy is defiant in the face of opposition because it’s rooted in an unshakable God. Keep choosing joy, one step at a time
Questions for Reflection:
What hard thing are you facing right now?
How might God be inviting you to trust Him and find joy even here?
What promises of God can you hold onto to strengthen your faith?