{"id":6698,"date":"2025-02-18T22:27:43","date_gmt":"2025-02-19T03:27:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/?p=6698"},"modified":"2025-06-04T17:17:23","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T21:17:23","slug":"peace-joy-and-abounding-hope-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/?p=6698","title":{"rendered":"(In the Moments) Embracing God’s Presence in Daily Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s been a battle this week to stay on higher ground. My prayer is to set my mind on things above and orient my life around God\u2019s greater purposes to conform me into the image of His Son. But lately, my heart\u2019s been more invested in my circumstances and how my life\u2019s going.<\/p>\n

When this happens, I lose perspective and go into survival mode. I have little regard for others and am more concerned with how I\u2019m doing.\u00a0 I wrote the following in my journal:<\/p>\n

As I got off work today, my mood was sinking. It lingered as I dropped by Publix on the way home. The cashier, named Gage, was super joyous in his conversations. Normally, this is how I feel, but my gloominess was a stark contrast to his exuberance.<\/code><\/p>\n

As I hurriedly transferred the items from my cart to the revolving rubber surface for Gage to scan, I really had no concern for him. I was thinking only of me. I wanted to be left alone in my self-pity. Gage’s kind words roused me, revealing my joyless, self-centered state.<\/p>\n

In recent years, I might have doubled down in self-effort, wearing myself out trying to slay each hindrance to my happiness. But I’ve learned from the challenging trials of the past few years that joy is not tied to life\u2019s ups and downs.<\/p>\n

God, in His severe mercy, is peeling away my vice grip on worldly happiness and redirected my heart towards Him. Through circumstances I would have never chosen, I\u2019m realizing my total completeness is in Christ. I can\u2019t count on anything to control my feelings of well-being and fulfill my deepest longings, but Him.<\/p>\n

The interaction with Gage reminded me I\u2019d lost sight of this life-changing truth during my day-to-day grind.<\/p>\n

Recalibrating my Heart<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Asking God to recalibrate my heart. I got alone and read Romans 15 from our church\u2019s reading plan. These words opened my eyes to eternal things:<\/p>\n

Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, build him up. For even Christ did not please Himself; (Romans 15:2-3b<\/strong> CSB)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

It struck me how Christ, as our example, didn’t come to please Himself. He demonstrated a sacrificial love throughout His time on earth, culminating in washing the disciples’ feet (even Peter and Judas) and dying a brutal death for us.<\/p>\n

In contrast, I couldn’t take my eyes off of myself to live outwardly.<\/p>\n

And I read:<\/p>\n

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NASB)<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

What a blessing! As I draw near, I’m filled with ALL joy and peace, abounding in Hope, empowered by His indwelling Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n

These words fill me with Hope. Even when the battles before my eyes drain me and cause me to lose sight, God is with me. No matter what I face, He is my peace, my joy and my lasting Hope.<\/p>\n

God\u2019s Loves Through People<\/span><\/h3>\n

Looking back on my interaction with Gage, I realize something I often miss. I\u2019m not sure if Gage is a believer in Jesus Christ or not. If I\u2019d had a better perspective, I might have asked. But what I\u2019m struck with now is how often God brings us people to keep us aware of His love.<\/p>\n

Challenge<\/span><\/h3>\n

Chances are you\u2019ve had a day like I just described. It might even be today. When this happens, get alone with God ASAP. Some days getting alone may be harder than others, but even a fifteen-minute break can be golden in God\u2019s timing.<\/p>\n

Be honest with how you feel. I highly recommend journaling. David did this, and his heart often changed while he was writing.<\/p>\n

Grab hold of the truth God reveals and orient the rest of your day and the rest of your life (as possible) around His greater story. He\u2019s about us becoming more like Jesus, not our comfort. [1]<\/p>\n

Stay alert to the Lord\u2019s presence and the gifts (like Gage) He might bring along the way. If you’re too concerned with you, you’ll easily miss God’s presence all around you.<\/p>\n

Prayer<\/span><\/h3>\n

Lord, gloominess and difficulties cause me to long for You all the more. When I seek You in my self-centered day, Your splendor explodes into brilliant peace, joy and hope within. Please keep me focused on You. I appreciate Gage waking me to this higher reality, whether he realized it or not. May I see every event in life as an opportunity to do the next right thing, to speak Your words and serve in Your strength. May I live life fully from You and for You; all for Your glory.<\/em><\/p>\n

I love You Lord,<\/em><\/p>\n

Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n

[1] Romans 8:28-29<\/p>\n

Other posts in our series<\/span> In the Moments<\/strong>:<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

As Sea Gulls Fly<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

It is Finished<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Behold the Moments<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Tranquility<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Stop Striving<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Simplicity In Christ<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

What is Good<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Yet Will I Rejoice<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Sorrowful, Yet Always Rejoicing<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Exploring Grace and Joy together<\/a><\/p>\n

Stay Present My Friends<\/a><\/p>\n

Quiddity. It Could Change Your Life<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cake Maker’s Blunder<\/a><\/p>\n

God at Work (No Trespassing)<\/a><\/p>\n

Hidden with Christ in God<\/a><\/p>\n

Finding Joy in Love and Relationships<\/a><\/p>\n

Escaping the Rat Race<\/a><\/p>\n

When I don’t Feel God’s Loving Kindness<\/a><\/p>\n

Experiencing Completeness in Christ<\/a><\/p>\n

Overcoming Pain Through Faith<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God\u2019s nearness in the midst of life\u2019s adventures.<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Subscribe to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading.\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/em>\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Robby Buck<\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Nonfiction books by the Author:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Because joy is rooted in God and is eternal, it doesn\u2019t ebb and flow with the waves of circumstances. In fact, as we grow in our understanding of joy, we can even experience it more acutely when life is hard. Why? Because God uses trials to conform us into the image of Christ. With this awareness, which gives us glimpses of God\u2019s greater purposes, we rejoice because of His masterful work to free us from needing anything but Him.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

For these reasons, and many others, joy in the Lord is commanded in scripture. It\u2019s not just a good idea, it\u2019s vital to our journey as human beings.\u00a0Rhythms of Joy<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Novels by the Author:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

What happens when a professor figures out how to send messages to his younger self to try and avoid the suicide of his best friend? Did he change more than he bargained for?\u00a0\u00a0Beyond Time<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

By finding two undelivered letters in an old shack deep in the woods, Cassie and Daniel unknowing set off a series of events which uncover a plot to wipe out a whole family Hope Remains<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

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Please Check out the\u00a0\u00a0Cola City Podcast<\/a>\u00a0. Discussions that impact the vision of reaching every man, woman, and child in a city.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The author reflects on a challenging week where he struggled to maintain a positive focus on God amidst personal difficulties. <\/p>\n

An encounter with a joyful cashier named Gage served as a reminder of the importance of seeing beyond self-centeredness. The author acknowledges that true joy, peace, and hope come not from circumstances but from a relationship with Christ. <\/p>\n

He emphasize the significance of recalibrating one’s heart through scripture and prayer, encouraging others to connect with God during tough times.
\nUltimately, the piece underscores God’s ability to bring people into our lives as reminders of His love and purpose.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6705,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3349,1501],"tags":[1508,3346,1515,1518,78,141,1507,1064,326,3343,1520,1521,3344,588,3347,297,1505,1226,18,96,1516,20,7,1513,113,1514,233,1509,3345,1502,1503,1504,1557,441,1506,1511,1522,1519,1510],"class_list":["post-6698","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-peace-hope-and-joy-2","category-gods-greater-story","tag-abounding-hope","tag-abounding-in-hope","tag-battle-before-our-eyes","tag-brilliance","tag-christ","tag-christ-indwells-us","tag-circumstances","tag-difficult-trials","tag-difficulties","tag-feelings-of-well-being","tag-filled-with-joy","tag-filled-with-peace","tag-fulfill-my-deepest-longings","tag-glory","tag-god-loves-through-people","tag-heart","tag-higher-ground","tag-his-glory","tag-holy-spirit","tag-hope","tag-hope-in-the-holy-spirit","tag-jesus","tag-joy","tag-lings-of-well-being","tag-mercy","tag-not-pleasing-ourselves","tag-peace","tag-publix","tag-recalibrating-my-heart","tag-romans-5","tag-romans-1513","tag-romans-152-3","tag-romans-828-29","tag-self-effort","tag-set-our-minds-on-things-above","tag-severe-mercy","tag-speak-his-words","tag-splendor","tag-sustaining-joy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6698","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6698"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6698\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7068,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6698\/revisions\/7068"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6698"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6698"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6698"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}