If Only
Taken from: My Time With God by Joyce Meyer
Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exalt and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. Romans 5:3
We often think that we could be happy "if only" we had fewer problems, or more advantages, but it is very unwise to put off being happy. Be full of joy now, because "now" is all that you have. We all hope for many tomorrows, but today is our only guarantee. This day is a gift from God and it would be tragic to waste it being unhappy.
Even if your circumstances are unable to provide your joy, let Jesus be your joy. Just imagine having your problems and not knowing Him! None of us enjoy dealing with painful situations in life, but we can rejoice and trust God's promise to work something good out of them (see Romans 8:28). We live in a world where the sin principle is at work, and we should face the fact that nothing is perfect here and it never will be.
God invites us into a life where, although we cannot avoid all difficulty, we can find a place in Him to live above it. The Bible calls it resurrection power! (See Philippians 3:10) I urge you not to waste your time thinking that you would be joyful "if only" things were different in your life. Serve the Lord with gladness and always remember that the joy of the Lord is your strength!
Prayer:
Father, You have given me many blessings and I want to always be joyful for You and what You have done for me. Forgive me when I put off being joyful until another time, and help me to always rejoice now!
Last Updated: February 2, 2026
