Finding Joy During Challenging Circumstances

Finding joy during challenging circumstances isn’t always easy.

Time may help us view a situation with more grace. But how much more enjoyable would it be to see the good or even the humor during the challenge?

For example, our family’s Easter Sunday turned out enjoyably, though it easily could have been a disaster.

Challenge No. 1

As I was getting the meal ready early Easter morning, the sink plugged up. My husband spent the next few hours resolving the situation.

Challenge No. 2

Then in the midst of my shower later that morning, the water stopped. Turns out our pipes had frozen.

My husband moved from fixing the plugged sink to thawing the pipes only to discover we still had no water! There was concern that the pump itself had burned up. Something which could not easily be resolved that day.

Challenge No. 3

With no water to wash dishes, my hope for a beautifully set table with crystal glasses and Sunday best dishes were demoted to paper cups, plates and plasticware. Ease of cleanup became more important than a picture perfect table.

The Solution

With dirty dishes from the preparation of dinner, piled as neatly as possible on the counters and filling the dishwasher in the hopes of water on the morrow, we enjoyed are time together as a family as we focused on the purpose of Easter.

We spent time studying the scriptures and talking of our feelings for our Savior, Jesus Christ. We video chatted with family members in other locations. We took naps and spent quiet time being grateful for our many blessings.

Water would be restored, sooner or later, but relationships are ever-present.

Why would I jeopardize the sweetness of those relationships with frustration because of temporary problems?

I wouldn’t.

Many problems could always interfere with our focus, so it’s up to us to determine how to respond to the unexpected and unplanned.

I love the words of President Russel M. Nelson who said,

“My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation…and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives.

Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy.

Joy is powerful, and focusing on joy brings God’s power into our lives.”

I invite you to find comfort during your challenging situations  by focusing on what truly brings us joy. 

 With love,