How To Remain in His Presence with Joy

"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"

James 1:2-4 (NIV)

God’s joy is yours for the taking. He did not come to be shared sparingly, but to be an abundant presence in our lives—one that fills us with lasting joy. This is not the time to wonder if God’s presence has drifted from you. His joy is available to you now. He is our daily bread, supplying each of us with what we need to endure. The trials that come with heavy and burdensome challenges do not mean you cannot live each day wrapped in the joy of God’s goodness. His love endures forever. In it, we find the joy of His heart, His love, and His protection for us each day.

Why, then, does joy sometimes feel so far away—unattainable, as if it can only be held for a day or two before slipping away? That kind of joy is often rooted in temporary happiness, tied to life’s circumstances: a wedding, a graduation, or milestones we celebrate. But the joy that never has to leave you is Jesus Himself. His presence remains constant, steady, and near.

Perhaps the quarrels of life have occupied more space in your heart than they should. Maybe, little by little, you’ve drifted. Let this be a reminder: whatever trial life has placed before you, invite God into it. Invite His loving heart to sustain you in moments of frailty—when patience feels thin, nerves feel strained, and time seems to move too quickly beneath the weight of what you’re facing. There is joy waiting for you, child. In His presence, it is never out of reach.

Questions for Reflection

1. What circumstances or distractions might be pulling my focus away from the lasting joy found in God’s presence?

2. How can I intentionally invite God into my current challenges so His joy can sustain me each day?

Prayer

God,

Thank You for being our unshakable Rock. Your presence alone is enough. Let us seek Your face without hesitation and remember that our joy does not come from this world, but from You—the Creator who holds the world in Your hands. Thank You for never leaving our side, even when life feels its hardest. In Jesus’ name, amen.