Faith Over Chaos

I have things. Oh, do I have things. I have an overflowing suitcase, a garage full of “I’ll deal with that later,” and—if we’re being brutally honest—I could probably start a whole new zip code dedicated entirely to regrets. Population: me and my questionable decisions.

But I also have something bigger than all of that. And I know you’re ready for me to say God—and yes, obviously, He’s bigger than my regrets. He covered every last one of them with His Son’s blood. But today? I’m here to talk about joy.

Joy in the middle of the chaos. Joy that refuses to be evicted. Joy that doesn’t require a coupon code, a punch card, or a spiritual glow‑up. Joy you can literally just ask for.

Some days are hard to get up and go. We all have those days—some people call them Mondays, some call them “every day ending in Y.” But I’m here to tell you that even in the hard, even in the mess, you can turn that chaos into joy. The kind of joy that makes you want to get up and dance, get up and share it, get up and confuse your coworkers who thought you were supposed to be tired like the rest of them.

Is it free? Yes.

Is it worth every minute? Absolutely.

Does it take effort? Also yes. (Sorry. I don’t make the rules.)

So let’s talk about it.

I have friends and coworkers who tell me they love my attitude, that I bring positive vibes into meetings and situations like some kind of caffeinated golden retriever. And honestly, they don’t just stop there. They’ll tilt their heads, squint at me like they’re trying to solve a mystery, and ask, “Where does all that happiness even come from? How are you this joyful on a Tuesday?”

And my answer is always the same: It’s Jesus.

Now, if that isn’t the easiest evangelism open‑door in the history of ever, I don’t know what is—but that’s a post for another day. Today, I want to share how I get to that joy. The kind that might feel impossible in your situation, in your chaos, in the middle of whatever zip code of regrets you’ve been living in.

And here’s the thing: joy isn’t just a personality quirk or a caffeine side effect. It’s not me being “naturally upbeat” (if you saw my garage of regrets, you’d file a wellness check). Joy is something deeper—something that actually shifts my attitude and my whole day. And Scripture talks about that over and over.

Psalm 16:11 says “You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy.” Not a sprinkle. Not a polite, church‑lady amount. Fullness. The kind of joy that changes how you walk into a meeting, how you handle chaos, how you breathe through the hard stuff.

And then there’s Nehemiah 8:10 reminding us that “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Not your talent. Not your perfectly curated morning routine. Not your ability to hold it all together with dry shampoo and determination. Strength comes from His joy—joy that holds you up when your own strength has left the chat.

Joy isn’t a mood. It’s a source. It’s a shift. It’s the thing that takes your day from “I can’t do this” to “Okay, Jesus, let’s go.” And when you tap into it, everything changes—your attitude, your reactions, even the way you respond to the person who schedules a 7:30 a.m. meeting like they’re trying to test your sanctification.

So how do you get this joy? The real kind. The Jesus kind. The kind that doesn’t evaporate the second someone cuts you off in traffic or your day derails before 9 a.m.

Here’s how I do it — not perfectly, not Pinterest‑worthy, but honestly.

1. I ask for it.

Revolutionary, I know. But James 1:5 reminds us that God gives generously when we ask. Joy works the same way. I literally say, “Lord, I need Your joy today because mine is on backorder.” And He shows up.

2. I get in His presence — even if it’s messy.

Psalm 16:11 already told us where the joy is: in His presence. Not in my productivity. Not in my mood. Not in my ability to keep my garage from becoming a cautionary tale.

Sometimes His presence looks like a quiet moment. Sometimes it looks like whisper‑prayers while I’m brushing my teeth. He honors both.

3. I choose it before I feel it.

Joy isn’t a feeling you wait for; it’s a decision you make.

Nehemiah 8:10 says joy is strength — and strength is something you pick up, not something that floats down like glitter. Some mornings I choose joy the same way I choose pants: reluctantly, but because it’s necessary.

4. I remind myself who’s actually in charge.

Spoiler: not me.

When I remember that Jesus is holding the whole world together (Colossians 1:17), it frees me from trying to hold my world together with duct tape and determination. Joy grows in that surrender.

5. I practice gratitude like it’s a survival skill.

Because it is.

Gratitude shifts my focus from what’s wrong to what God is doing. It’s not denial — it’s direction. And joy follows gratitude like a puppy follows snacks.

Joy isn’t something you earn or pretend your way into. It’s something God offers — right in the middle of your chaos, your mess, and your “I cannot even today” moments. It’s what steadies you, lifts you, and reminds you that you’re held.

That’s why I can walk into meetings smiling. That’s why people ask where all that joy comes from.

It’s Jesus — and His joy really does change everything. And if He can do it for me, He can do it for you. Just ask.

Helping you find peace in the garden again— right where joy is waiting for you.

Pause right here—yes, even in the middle of your chaos—and ask yourself where joy has been sneaking in while you were busy surviving.

1. What part of your day tends to steal your joy the fastest, and what might it look like to invite Jesus into that exact moment?
2. When was the last time you felt the “fullness of joy” Psalm 16:11 talks about, and what helped you recognize God’s presence there?
3. What are you currently trying to hold together in your own strength, and how might releasing it to God make room for joy?
4. Where do you sense God offering you joy right now—even if your circumstances haven’t changed?
5. What gratitude can you name today that shifts your focus toward what God is doing rather than what feels chaotic?