5 Practical Tips To Help You Find Joy In Life Through Christ

This post is about how to find your joy in the Lord.

Written by a previous trauma therapist, a Licensed Master Social Worker, and current Student working toward her PHD learning how to bridge the gap between theology and psychology.

Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases (at no extra cost to you).

Are you struggling to find the silver lining in life? Are you wanting to find your joy in the Lord but feel stranded in the middle of a storm? In today’s devotional, we will take a deeper look at how one can find your joy in the Lord while also learning practical tips to combat black-and-white thinking as a Christian.

Finding Your Joy In Life Again

Habakkuk 3:17–18 “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

Educational Coping Skill: Holding Two Truths

In the field of Psychology, we often discuss the negative impact of “black-and-white” or “all-or-nothing” thinking. During difficult seasons, the brain tries to simplify the situation by categorizing it as “good” or “bad”. However, we all know life is much more complex than this. A tool frequently used to combat this negative thinking is call “Holding Two Truths”. This skill teaches the brain that two completely opposite things can be true at the exact same time. Helping the brain come to a more grounded reality and conclusion.

Instead of using the word “but,” which often cancels out your feelings, you use the word “and.”

• Instead of: “I am really struggling, but I know God is good.”
• Try: “I am really struggling, and I know God is good.”

This small shift in language tells your nervous system that your pain is valid, real, and allowed to exist right alongside your hope. Here are some more examples!

Example 1: The Parenting Struggle

• The Black-and-White Thought: “I lost my temper with my kids this morning, which means I am a terrible parent and I’ve ruined their day.”
• How to Challenge the Thought: “I lost my temper this morning and feel guilty about it, and I deeply love my children and am actively learning how to be more patient.”
• Why it works: It acknowledges the mistake without letting that single moment define the person’s entire identity or worth as a parent.

Example 2: Navigating Grief During Happy Seasons

• The Black-and-White Thought: “I am grieving the loss of my loved one, so I cannot enjoy the holidays this year. If I smile, it means I don’t care.”
• How to Challenge the Thought: “I am carrying a very heavy grief right now, and I can still allow myself to experience moments of genuine warmth and laughter with my family.”
• Why it works: It validates the heavy, ongoing reality of grief while giving the nervous system permission to accept small moments of joy without guilt.

Example 3: Wrestling with Doubt

• The Black-and-White Thought: “I am having doubts and questions about my faith right now, which must mean I don’t truly trust God.”
• How to Challenge the Thought: “I am wrestling with confusing questions and doubts in this season, and I still have a foundational love for God that holds me.”
• Why it works: It stops the spiral of spiritual shame. Like Habakkuk, it proves that having questions does not equal a total abandonment of faith.

Example 4: Career Disappointment

• The Black-and-White Thought: “I didn’t get the promotion I prayed and worked so hard for. My career is stagnant and my hard work was completely pointless.”
• How to Challenge the Thought: “I am deeply disappointed and frustrated about not getting this promotion, and I know my ultimate worth is not defined by my job title.”
• Why it works: It prevents the brain from catastrophizing a single closed door into a lifetime of failure, making space for immediate disappointment alongside long-term perspective.

Example 5: Dealing with Chronic Pain or Illness

• The Black-and-White Thought: “My chronic pain is flaring up today. My body is completely broken and this day is entirely ruined.”
• How to Challenge the Thought: “My body is experiencing significant, exhausting pain right now, and my body is still wonderfully made and carrying me through the best it can.”
• Why it works: Chronic struggles often lead to bodily betrayal trauma. This reframe honors the very real physical suffering while reintroducing a lens of gentle gratitude for the body.

Faith Connection

Habakkuk 3:17-18 is a beautiful example of the skill “Holding Two Truths”. Instead of sugar coating the situation, he gives the honest truth of the devastating times around him. However, he also says “yet I will rejoice in the Lord.”. We can see Habakkuk holding two truths, pain and faith. Biblical joy is not toxic positivity. It can recognize the pain one is feeling while also allowing the truth of God to prevail. So today if you are feeling like Habakkuk, remind yourself you are allowed to grieve in the pain, but also rejoice in the One who has concurred the world.

Reflection Question

When you look at your life right now what is one hard thing you are carrying and what is one good truth about God you can hold onto at the exact same time?

Think of a time you used the word “but” to ignore your own feelings. How does it feel when you change that word to “and”?

What is one messy or hard emotion you are trying to hide from God? What would it look like to share that exact feeling with Him today?

Extreme thinking demands perfection. Where in your life are you being too hard on yourself, and how can you give yourself more grace right now?

We often rush to fix our pain because we are afraid to just feel it. If you sit with your sad feelings without trying to solve them, how can God comfort you in that space?

Prayer

Dear God, thank You that I do not have to pretend everything is perfect to come to You. I confess that when things go wrong, my mind wants to believe that everything is completely ruined. Help me to practice holding two truths today. Give me the strength to be honest about my pain and my empty fields, while still choosing to anchor my joy in Your unfailing love. Amen.

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Christian Book Recommendations

Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode–and into a Life of Connection and Joy – Aundi Kolber Description: Written by a licensed therapist from a Christian perspective, this book is a perfect companion to the study of Psalm 103. Kolber explains how we can stop “white-knuckling” our way through life and instead learn to honor the way God “formed” our nervous systems. She provides practical tools to quiet the inner critic and embrace our God-given limitations, moving us from a state of constant “threat” into the safety and belonging of God’s compassionate love.

Untangle Your Emotions: Naming What You Feel and Knowing What to Do About It Jennie Allen Description: Allen tackles the exact “toxic positivity”. Many Christians are taught to quickly cover up their sadness or anger with a forced “but God is good!” Allen unpacks how God actually designed our feelings—even the heavy ones—and teaches readers how to sit with them. This book gives practical, biblically grounded steps for acknowledging messy emotions and bringing them to God without feeling the need to immediately “fix” or sanitize them.

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Closing Thoughts

I hope today’s blog post was not only educational but also helped you draw closer to God. If you or someone you know struggling to find peace and want guidance, please connect with a therapist today! Check out TherapyforChristians.com to get connected with a faith-based provider in your area!

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Think Like Christ Mental Health

Disclaimer

Educational and Spiritual Support Only: I am not your therapist. The information provided on this blog—including book recommendations, worksheets, biblical insights, coping skills, or any other content on this blog—is for  educational, informational, and spiritual encouragement purposes only. No Professional Relationship Interacting with this content, including leaving comments or sending direct messages, does not create a therapist-client relationship. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Seek Professional Help: Always seek the advice of your physician or a licensed mental health provider regarding any medical or psychological condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here. If you are in a crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a crisis hotline.