Kathy Carlton Willis is no stranger to difficult circumstances, but she emerges from them with joy. In this Spiritual Life and Joy UPGRADE, she calls us to press past the voices of circumstances or our own destructive self-talk and listen to another Voice—someone who can help us press on in joy.
“As I write this, I’m in the middle of the national pandemic lockdown,” Kathy says. “You’re reading it on the last day of the lockdown.
"I wish I had a crystal ball to write what our May looks like. We just don’t know.”
I (Dawn) don’t have a crystal ball either. All I know is we’re in this together. Kathy gives us words of encouragement as we press on.
Kathy continues . . .
It’s possible the lockdown will continue. During this time of uncertainty, what a blessing to cling to what we do know.
As Christ followers, we know:
whatever comes our way, we can grin with joy, knowing it does get better than this.
I can sit here and focus on my troubles:
- My husband lost his job due to cutbacks in the middle of January. It was hard enough finding employment at age 58 in the good times, but now there is much more joblessness.
- My health could be better. My chronics are flaring.
- The stay-at-home order has everyone a bit stir crazy. Some are bored. I’m just busy, scrambling to change everything that took over a year to plan that has cancelled. Now I have days instead of months to activate a new plan.
- I’m a caregiver to my mom. Even though she is very independent, it adds to my load having her living with us. Why? Because I give a care.
Rather than focus on my troubles, I will sit here and fix my gaze on Jesus, the author and sustainer of my joy.
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:17–18 NLT).
On my Facebook page, I asked about how to have joy despite brokenness. I asked people to describe their brokenness.
One person wrote:
“Top of the list is pain. I have no hope for the future with what I'm going through. It will never get better. Just getting worse. I want my life back but that will never happen. Depressing. I try to stay positive every day, but sometimes it’s just very hard when all you do is cry. I’m in so much pain and meds do not help. I can't stop. I have responsibility to help my family.”
I responded:
"I'm sorry to hear that. When we get depressing news and live with discouraging conditions, it can be overwhelming! I couldn't possibly know the depth of what you are going through, but I do have several chronic diseases that are debilitating and progressive.
"The main reason I can still have joy isn't because I have hope that I'll get better in this life (unless there’s a miracle!). But I know in heaven I'll get rid of pain once and for all. And there will be no more tears. My hope in God gets me through some awful stuff.
"Also, I focus on what I CAN find joy in. I tell myself that my body doesn't get to dictate my perspective on how I feel. It's only one third of who I am. My spirit and soul are two thirds of who I am, so they get the majority vote. That really helps me adjust my feelings on days I'm suffering.
"I hope that encourages you a little. It stinks, what you are going through. And I'm so sorry it's happening."
We all are going through something, especially these days.
What can we do to find joy in the middle of all this?
1. Switch focus.
Instead of looking at the problems, look to the Problem-Solver.
I will fix my gaze on Jesus!
2. Praise in advance of the breakthrough.
Worship God not because He will fix the circumstances, but because He is God.
3. Seek to serve.
When we put our attention and energy in helping others, our problems pale in comparison. And we realize even when we feel stuck, there is still something we can do to help.
One example: I’ve been leaving sound bites on Facebook Messenger to friends.
In these voice messages, I pray for them.
Encourage them.
Tell them I love them.
There’s something about hearing another person’s voice that helps us all know we’re not in this alone.
And the greatest voice of all to hear is the voice of God, through His Word and his Spirit.
What voice are you listening to today?
Kathy Carlton Willis, God’s Grin Gal, writes and speaks with a balance of funny and faith, whimsy and 
wisdom. She coaches others to remove the training wheels of fear and not just risk, but also take pleasure in the joy ride of life. She is known for her debut book, Grin with Grace, and for her grinning Boston terrier, Hettie. Her new book, The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy is inspiring Joy Sightings everywhere. Discover more about Kathy at www.kathycarltonwillis.com.
Graphic adapted, courtesy of Brightside Creative at Lightstock.