Joy Does Not Depend on Our Outward Circumstances by Nikole Hahn
Joy Does Not Depend on our Outward Circumstances
So much of the world feels undone, chaotic, and illogical and if we focus too much on our outward circumstances it’s easy to fall into despondency or apathy. I’ve seen the effects of hopelessness. It’s reflected in the falling off of volunteers, the lack of motivation, and the anger charging through the traffic. Anger, I believe, is electric, conducted by our own inability to let go and trust God. Anger is like a frustrated child unable to put words to her anger and taking it out on everyone else. Being thankful has nothing to do with our outward circumstances.
Our pastor, the other day, said the same thing. Joy does not depend upon our circumstances. My husband needed to hear this as he has been struggling since the election. I know a friend needs to hear it, too, as she’s been lashing out at everyone on Facebook. I don’t even think she realizes it. When I look at her Facebook it’s full of angry, political posts. Her statuses do not reflect a heart at peace. But she’s not a believer and so her joy is dependent upon outward circumstances. Outward circumstances are fickle. I hardly find comfort in them.
The other day I took my laptop to Starbucks to write my novel. I wanted to watch the leaves fall like rain outside their windows, the passing traffic, and listen to the conversations. The world at large may be chaotic, but my world is the same. It’s a struggle to pay the bills, but we do it faithfully. My shoes are falling a part. My socks have holes in them. Money I could put towards these things, however feeble, go to the fun things we try to fit in that are inexpensive; some even benefit charities. Neither my husband or I wish to live our life from paycheck to paycheck. So we budget and save to afford the small things that bring so much joy like running races or occasionally getting coffee or going out to eat. When I come home every night from work or church, I get to come home to my best friend, a warm house, and find that God provides all the basics I need for living, like food in the pantry. The other day my husband sent me a text.
He exclaimed: “I got 50 cents off per gallon of gas! God provides!” That’s being aware of God in his life.
On the news the other day, the wages for being classified as middle class shocked us. We make well below that amount together per year and yet we find the most contentment here. Perhaps our not so great circumstances make us more aware of God working in our lives. If we were well off, perhaps we would find it more work to look for God’s fingerprints? Unfulfilled dreams give us something to strive toward and things we cannot yet finance give us something to work for as we live day-to-day. I am most thankful for where I am today, who I am married to, and the people in our lives. God has given me a purpose and that purpose fuels my enthusiasm.
The world is chaotic and angry, but I do not have to be like the world. I am called to a different worldview. Joy is found in Him. Joy and contentment are equal partners. You can’t have one without the other. Joy and contentment also have a side benefit—you won’t go into debt if you are content. Contentment restrains the hand from the unnecessary purchases and builds patience to save for the things we desire. So let’s choose thankfulness this season, and for many seasons to come, as we move into an uncertain future.
Nikole Hahn is a recovering perfectionist blogging and living 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. She reviews books on her website, writes on living the transparent Christian life and short stories, and is working on becoming a novelist. Nikole lives in Northern Arizona with a husband who believes in her dream so much so that he does much of the housework (no, ladies, you cannot borrow him). Nikole has been published in small presses and is a member of Word Weavers.
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