Minister Brooke Gillum

September 29, 2026

Last Week’s Highlights:

Joy (in a biblical sense): is a deep, enduring gladness and confidence in God—rooted in who He is, what He has done, and what He has promised—rather than in the circumstances surrounding us.

Joy is both a gift from God and a response to the gifts of God.

Where have I planted my joy?

COLOSSIANS 2:7 (NLT) “Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built upon Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

Joy in God’s presence: Joy in dwelling, joy in worship, joy in salvation

Biblical joy is from knowing and experiencing God

Joy is a vital aspect of the fruit of the Spirit because it shows the inner work of the Holy Spirit. It reflects a life shaped by God rather than our circumstances, emotions, or flesh.

Pop Quiz:

PSALM 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is _______ of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

A. Abundance

B. Fullness

C. Overflow

Joy When Life Hurts

How can we have biblical joy when our circumstances give us nothing to be joyful about?

You can be grieving and still trust God -Job

Job 13:15 (NKJV): Though he slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.”

You can be disappointed and still have hope – Martha

John 11:21-22 (ESV): Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you..

You can be hurting and still possess joy-Habbukuk

Habbakuk 3:17-18 (NLT): “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.”

HABAKKUK 1:2 (NKJV) “O Lord, how long shall I cry and You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “violence!” And You will not save.”

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines: he expected to see blossoms and grapes but was met with disappointment

Today: Even though I prayed and nothing has happened | even though there are no visible signs things are getting better or changing…

Even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren: now it getting worse because I put in work but there is nothing to show for it.

Today: I prayed. I obeyed. I worked unto the Lord. I waited…

Even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty: my livelihood and security is being shaken

Today: Even though my money is low. Even when the relationship is on the rocks. Even though the doctor told me I will never…

YET!

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.

His circumstances did not change when he made this statement. He changed where he placed his attention.

Even if the harvest failed- God did not fail

Even if it didn’t turn out the way I wanted-God is still good

Even if it grieved and pained me deeply-God is my light and salvation

Yet I will rejoice:

I may not understand what He is doing, but I still know who He is.
I may lose something, but I have not lost God.
I may not understand His plan, but I can still trust His character
This chapter may be painful, but the Author is still good.

Joy in Trials

1 PETER 4:12-13 (NKJV) “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

ACTS 5:41 (NLT) “The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.”

PHILIPPIANS 3:10 (NLT) “I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death.”

God, in His wisdom, provided joy because He knew ahead of time how much we would need it. God knew there would be days when our circumstances would give us nothing to be happy about. So, He gave us a joy that doesn't depend on circumstances—but a joy that can survive the fiery trials.

Joy is our weapon against despair:

Despair: “I give up. Nothing ever goes right or nothing will change.” Magnifies the problem

Joy is the weapon that says: “God is still good. My God does not fail. He is faithful. This trial doesn’t change who He is. 🡨 this is how you fight your battles-pull out joy.

Despair tells me what I see, but joy is the weapon that reminds me of what I know.

Don't interpret the presence of trouble as the absence of God.

JOHN 9: 1-3 (ESV) “As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he awas born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

Not every trial is a punishment; your difficult season does not mean God is angry with you.

HEBREWS 4:15-16 (ESV) “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Even when we don't understand the circumstances and testings, we can still trust the character of God. And God is able to display His work and mighty power though us and through our fiery trials.

Count it All Joy

James 1: 2-4 (ESV) “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Lord, what are you developing in me in the midst of the trial?

1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT) “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”

Can I still say God is good when my circumstances don't feel good?

Can I still trust Him when I don't understand?

Can I still worship when my prayer hasn't been answered?

Can I still stand when everything around me is shaking?

Ephesians 6:10 (NLT) “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”

The Lord is Your Strength

Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT) “And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord . Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Psalm 28:7 (NLT) “The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”

Isaiah 12:2 (NLT) “See, God has come to save me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; He has given me victory.”

Nehemiah: the Lord is my strength

David: the Lord is my strength and shield

Isaiah: the Lord is my strength and song

Psalms 73:26 (NLT) “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Joy is Our Medicine

Proverbs 17:22 (ESV) “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

“There is a marvelous medicinal power in joy. Most medicines are distasteful, but this, which is the best of all medicines, is sweet to the taste and comforting to the heart.” – Charles Spurgeon | Joy, a Duty

Joy relieves stress and brings strength

Philippians 4:4 (NKJV) “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

How to Activate Joy When Life Hurts

Practical Biblical steps when your life is sad and discouraging

As long as we live the wind and waves will rise, we can’t stand around and get blown away with life’s valleys. We know that God is our Source, but sometimes we have to intentionally turn to Him

Acknowledge Your Pain
- Don’t Ignore it or Pretend Everything is Fine
Rely on God for Strength
- Nehemiah 8:10 “…Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Stay Close to Jesus
- Spend time in His presence. Joy is where He is
Shift Your Attention from What is Happening to Who is With You
- Pain, and disappointments pull our eyes toward the problem. Joy requires us to intentionally redirect our focus toward God
Remember What God Has Already Done
- Psalm 77:11: “I will remember the deeds of the LORD.
Praise Him in Advance
- “This hurts, YET God is worthy.”, “I don’t understand, YET I will worship.”, “I’m disappointed, YET I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.”
Ask for Joy!
- John 16:24 “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” Jesus has told us a few times to ask Him directly. To seek God first.

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Part 2, Biblical Joy

Count it All Joy

Part 1 Biblical Joy