Episode 156 - Hope and Joy

We're continuing to look at concepts related to hope. In this episode I look at the relationship between hope and joy.  They more than co-exist.  They fuel one another.

Transcript

Hello Friends, I’m your host Dr. Dave Laton and thank you for joining me in Our Journey to Hope.

It is my desire through this podcast to bring you information about how to discover, sustain, or perhaps regain hope.  

Have you ever noticed how hope and joy seem to find each other?

Not the loud, big parade with cheering crowds’ kind of joy. Not the “everything is perfect” kind of hope.  But the quiet kind that shows up when life is messy and uncertain.

In this episode, I’m looking at the relationship between hope and joy, and how they more than coexist.

So we’ve stated many times that hope is looking forward with a confident assurance that something good is still possible.  Joy is experiencing deep gladness, even when circumstances aren’t ideal.

Joy goes beyond the temporary moments of happiness found in good news, fun moments, success and comfort.  These are temporary that can fade.  

Joy on the other hand comes from who we are and what we believe, not just what’s happening.  Joy remains even during hardships, loss, or even uncertainty.

It flows from hope, faith, gratitude, and a sense of meaning.  

Happiness is often based on what is happening to us.  But joy is based on who holds us.  Nehemiah 8:10 states, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”  In the context of this passage, the people of God were coming out of a long dark period of separation from God.  Ezra, the priest and scribe that led them from exile reminded them that Jehovah was still their God and they were His people.

Hope and joy goes beyond coexistence.  Hope feeds our joy, and joy strengthens hope.

When you believe tomorrow can be better, you can find joy today.  And when you experience joy today, it reminds you that tomorrow is worth hoping for.

They form a loop—a beautiful, sustaining loop.

Think of hope like the dawning of a new day.  It begins with just a glimmer, but in that glimmer is a promise.  The day is not fully dawned, but we know it is coming.  Then the glimmer turns into light and the promise begins to become reality.  Finally, when the sun is fully show, the promise is fulfilled with the full light a day.  like a light at the end of a tunnel.

Joy doesn’t mean pretending life doesn’t hurt.  Joy says, “This hurts—but it’s not the end of the story.”  Hope says, “There is more ahead than what you see right now.”

When hope fades, joy often fades with it. And when joy disappears, hope can feel fragile.  That’s why even small moments of joy—laughter, gratitude, peace—are powerful.  They whisper, “Don’t give up.”

There is also a relationship between hope, joy, and faith.  Our hope is rooted in promise, and joy is rooted in trust.

Hope says, “I believe God is still working.” Joy says, “I can rest in that belief—even today.”

Not because everything is fixed…But because we believe we’re not abandoned in the waiting.  We know we are not alone.

So here’s a simple takeaway:

Somewhere life events got in the way of our joy and brought challenges to it and our hope.  We can overcome those obstacles and recapture full hope and joy.

If you’re struggling to feel joy, ask yourself: What am I hoping for?

If you’re struggling to hope, look for one small moment of joy today.

I’ll tell you where I find hope.  I find hope when I see the joy in a small child.  I see their expressions of joy in small things.  It is wonderful to watch a child explore a small flower.  Maybe its joy expressed as they watch a caterpillar crawl or a butterfly flitting along.  

But we can find joy in other moments as well.  Perhaps it’s a conversation with a friend or loved one.  Or it might be sitting quietly watching a mother bird care for its young.  Whatever it is, it is something we experience that brings joy to our life and hope to our heart.

Hope and joy don’t demand perfect circumstances.  The truth is, they grow best in imperfect ones.

As I close, let me remind us that where hope lives, joy can grow. And where joy is found, hope is never far behind.

 Also let me remind you that true and lasting hope comes through our Lord, Jesus Christ.  And as we build in our relationship with Him, so to grows and hope and joy.

Again, I’m Dr. Dave Laton, and thank you for walking with me on this journey. Until next time, keep moving forward on our journey to hope.

I invite you to contact me if you have questions or comments, or if you wish to share with me something you’ve experienced in your journey to hope.  My email is info@ourjourneytohope.com.   

And please, share this podcast with someone whose hope is being challenged.

I look forward to sharing more with you soon.  And until our next episode, remember, we give all glory to God our Father.