Soulful Summer Reset: A 7-Day Devotional to Renew Your Mind, Body, and Spiritਨਮੂਨਾ

Day 6: Reignite Your Joy

It’s easy to lose hope in a world that feels so chaotic and uncertain. To be completely honest, these past few years have been some of my most challenging. But you know what? Writing is my act of defiance — it’s my way of telling the enemy that he does not get to steal my joy.

Did you catch that? No matter how dark your situation looks right now, I’ve lived long enough to know it’s always darkest before the dawn. The obstacles you face are not evidence that God has forgotten you. They are often clues that the blessing He has for you is bigger than you can imagine. Sadly, so many of us give up right before we get to see it. I know I have. I’ve delayed or missed out on blessings God wanted to give me because I let fear and discouragement choke out my hope.

That’s why when I catch myself wanting to throw a pity party, I remind myself: You have to fight for your joy. That’s not just a catchy phrase. It’s a truth my mom practically shouted at me one day when I was venting about my situation. Mind you, she’s been facing the exact same problem, but with a completely different attitude from mine. If “You can’t steal my joy” were a person, it would be her. She radiates a peace that truly surpasses all understanding because she keeps her focus on Christ. The world could be falling apart around her, but she stays calm, anchored, and ready to take action instead of being crushed by the debris.

I’ll be honest, I’m a little envious of how she does it. I’ve learned the hard way that when I don’t fight for joy, I forfeit it. I miss out on blessings. I live distracted and defeated. But joy isn’t just a fleeting feeling. It’s a profound, soul-level state of being that makes us resilient in the face of life's storms. Even when everything seems to be going wrong, we have to choose to focus on the good and cultivate gratitude.

I know I’m a work in progress. That’s why one of my biggest goals is to consistently prioritize joy. It’s not just a nice idea. It’s vital for our spiritual, mental, and physical health. Keeping your joy alive keeps your mind, body, and soul aligned with God’s truth.

So, how do you fight for joy when life feels unfair? It begins with a commitment to being intentional about not allowing negativity to overshadow your perception of your circumstances, relationships, finances, career, health, or future. Yes, you will face things outside your control, but as Christians, we know that if we’re walking with God, He will never allow us to endure more than we can bear. He promises to work all things together for our good when we put Him first.

One thing I’ve learned is that life feels a lot lighter when we live on offense rather than defense. We can’t always change the systems or people that stack the odds against us, but we can choose to rise above them. For me, knowing God has a plan for my life frees me from caring about what people say or think. I’m done spending money I don’t have on things I don’t need to impress people I don’t even like!

That’s why I’m cautious about who I let into my world. The people around us shape how we see ourselves. Their words can either build us up or tear us down. The Bible says, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.” Words matter. I refuse to let insecure, negative people limit me because my progress makes them uncomfortable. Some people would rather hold you back than deal with their own lack of effort. Sadly, many of us — including myself — have wasted energy trying to please people who don’t even want to see us succeed.

Sis, it’s time to reignite your joy! Guard it fiercely. Fight for it daily. Protect your mind from toxic words, your spirit from hopelessness, and your vision from distractions. Joy is NOT optional. It’s your fuel. No matter what Satan throws your way, do not allow him to steal your joy!

Reflection:

What area of your life needs a fresh spark of joy?

What activity or practice helps me reconnect with God’s joy?