Finding Joy Through Surrender and Gratitude in Trials

 

Summary

True confidence in God is not rooted in our own plans, but in surrendering to His. Life’s storms are not interruptions to our agenda, but invitations to awaken to God’s greater purpose. When we truly believe that God works all things together for good, our most logical response to trials becomes joy—not because circumstances are easy, but because God is present with us in every moment. Joy is not a fleeting feeling tied to favorable outcomes, but a deep satisfaction anchored in the unchanging goodness and faithfulness of God.

To cultivate this joy, three “joy activators” are essential: gratitude, guidance, and generosity. Gratitude shifts our focus from what’s lacking to what God has already provided. It’s easy to slip into complaint, especially when life feels unfair, but gratitude reminds us that God has always been faithful, even when we don’t see it. The sound of our lives should be an unending compliment to God’s goodness, not a constant complaint about our circumstances.

Guidance is about obedience and surrender. Who or what leads us—our fears, the world’s standards, or God’s Word? Jesus teaches that remaining in His love through obedience leads to overflowing joy. Unrepentant sin and unresolved guilt rob us of this joy, but surrendering to God’s guidance restores it. The level of joy we experience often reveals how much we allow Jesus to be Lord over our lives.

Generosity is the third activator. It’s not just about giving money, but about living with open hands—offering our time, talents, and resources. Generosity shifts our focus from problems to solutions, from scarcity to abundance. As we pour out, God pours in, and joy overflows. This is not a one-time event, but a daily journey of spiritual discipline—thanking God, seeking His guidance, and living generously.

Ultimately, true joy is found in Jesus. His grace makes it possible for anyone to know this joy, regardless of their past or present circumstances. Joy is not reserved for those who have it all together, but is available to all who call on His name and receive His life.

Key Takeaways

- Joy is the logical response to trials when we trust God’s sovereignty. Instead of waiting for circumstances to improve, we can choose joy because God is present and working for our good, even in the midst of storms. This perspective transforms challenges into opportunities for deeper faith and satisfaction in Him. [17:48]

- Gratitude is a powerful activator of joy. When we intentionally thank God for His faithfulness—past, present, and future—we shift from a mindset of complaint to one of praise. Even in seasons of darkness or disappointment, gratitude anchors us in the reality of God’s goodness and presence. [22:33]

- Obedience and surrender to God’s guidance lead to overflowing joy. When we allow God’s Word and Spirit to direct our lives, rather than our own desires or the world’s pressures, we experience a joy that is not dependent on circumstances. Unrepentant sin and unresolved guilt are barriers to this joy, but confession and surrender restore it. [30:20]

- Generosity is both a fruit and a catalyst of joy. Giving—whether of time, resources, or encouragement—shifts our focus from scarcity to abundance and from self to others. As we step out in faith to bless others, God multiplies our joy and uses us to bring hope and life to those around us. [34:02]

- Joy is cultivated through daily spiritual disciplines and a growing relationship with Jesus. It is not a momentary feeling, but a lifelong journey of trusting, thanking, obeying, and giving. The closer we walk with Jesus, the more resilient and deep our joy becomes, regardless of life’s highs or lows. [36:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[17:01] - Waking Up to God’s Plan in Life’s Storms
[17:48] - Joy as the Logical Response to Trials
[19:21] - Three Joy Activators
[19:36] - Activator 1: Gratitude
[21:13] - Psalm 100 and the Power of Thanksgiving
[22:18] - God’s Faithfulness Through Our Story
[23:28] - Complaints vs. Compliments: The Sound of Our Lives
[24:42] - The “It’s Not Fair” Trap
[26:24] - Losing Gratitude and Joy
[26:42] - Activator 2: Guidance
[27:16] - Obedience, Love, and Overflowing Joy
[29:06] - Truth Stronger Than Trials
[30:20] - Barriers to Joy: Sin and Guilt
[32:11] - Activator 3: Generosity
[34:02] - The Blessing of Giving
[36:21] - Joy as a Lifelong Journey
[38:23] - Joy Found in Jesus
[39:40] - Invitation to Know Jesus
[41:14] - Prayer for Salvation and Celebration

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Cultivating True Joy

---

### Bible Reading

- Psalm 100:1-5
("Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth... For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.")
- John 15:10-11
("If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love... I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.")
- Romans 15:13
("May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.")

---

### Observation Questions

1. According to Psalm 100, what are some practical ways we are called to express gratitude and joy to God?
2. In John 15:10-11, what does Jesus say is the connection between obedience and joy?
3. The sermon mentions three “joy activators.” What are they, and how does the speaker describe each one? [19:21]
4. In Romans 15:13, what is the source of overflowing hope and joy for believers?

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “Joy is not about waiting for things to go right in our life. It's actually about a recognition and a deep satisfaction that God is presenced with me always even right now.” What does it mean for joy to be rooted in God’s presence rather than our circumstances? [18:31]
2. Why does the speaker say that unrepentant sin and unresolved guilt rob us of joy? How does confession and surrender restore it? [30:20]
3. The sermon contrasts a life of complaint with a life of compliment to God. What does it look like for the “sound of your life” to be an unending compliment rather than a complaint? [23:28]
4. How does generosity, according to the sermon, shift our focus from scarcity to abundance and from self to others? [34:02]

---

### Application Questions

1. The speaker asks, “Is the sound of my life an unending complaint or an unending compliment?” Take a moment to reflect: What is the “sound” of your life right now? Are there areas where you tend to complain more than give thanks? What’s one way you can shift toward gratitude this week? [23:28]
2. When facing a difficult situation, do you find it easy or hard to believe that God is working all things together for your good? Share a recent trial and discuss how you might respond with joy, trusting God’s presence in it. [17:48]
3. The sermon says, “Unrepented sin, unresolved guilt... will not live joyful.” Is there an area of your life where you need to confess or surrender something to God? What step could you take this week to restore joy through obedience? [30:20]
4. Jesus says that remaining in His love through obedience leads to overflowing joy (John 15:10-11). What is one area where you sense God is asking you to obey or surrender? How might that obedience lead to greater joy?
5. Generosity is described as a “joy activator.” In what ways can you be generous this week—not just with money, but with your time, encouragement, or talents? Who is someone you could bless? [34:02]
6. The sermon talks about daily spiritual disciplines—thanking God, seeking His guidance, and living generously. Which of these do you find most challenging? What is one small, practical step you can take to grow in that area this week? [36:38]
7. The speaker says, “Joy is not reserved for those who have it all together, but is available to all who call on His name and receive His life.” If you struggle to believe this, what is holding you back? How can the group pray for you to experience Jesus’ joy more deeply? [39:40]

---

Devotional

Day 1: Joy Is Rooted in Gratitude, Not Circumstance
Gratitude is the first activator of joy, shifting our focus from what is lacking or unfair to the goodness and faithfulness of God. When we begin each day by thanking God for the breath in our lungs and the gift of life, we acknowledge His sovereignty and goodness, regardless of our circumstances. Even in seasons of darkness or disappointment, remembering God’s faithfulness in the past and His continual presence now can transform our hearts from complaint to compliment. True joy is not found at the end of favorable circumstances, but in a heart that continually gives thanks to God, recognizing that He is always with us and always good. [21:13]

Psalm 100:1-5 (ESV)
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

Reflection: Is the sound of your life today more like an unending complaint or an unending compliment? What is one specific thing you can thank God for right now, even if your circumstances haven’t changed?


Day 2: Joy Flows from Obedience and Surrender
The second activator of joy is guidance—allowing God to lead your life through obedience and surrender. Joy overflows when we choose to follow God’s will and ways, rather than being led by fear, guilt, or the shifting standards of the world. Jesus teaches that remaining in His love through obedience brings a joy that is not only His, but becomes our own, overflowing into every area of life. Unrepentant sin or unresolved guilt can rob us of this joy, but surrendering to God’s guidance restores it, anchoring us in His eternal truth and love. [28:28]

John 15:10-11 (ESV)
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you are resisting God’s guidance or holding onto unresolved guilt? What step of obedience or surrender can you take today to allow His joy to overflow in you?


Day 3: Generosity Unlocks Abundant Joy
Generosity is a powerful activator of joy, inviting us to live in abundance rather than scarcity. When we give—whether it’s our time, talents, or resources—we reflect the heart of God, who gave first. Generosity shifts our focus from problems to solutions, from self to others, and in doing so, we experience a joy that is deep and lasting. Even when resources seem limited, stepping out in faith to give what we have allows God to multiply and overflow His blessings in our lives, filling us with hope and confidence in His promises. [34:50]

Romans 15:13 (ESV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Reflection: Who is one person you can bless with your time, encouragement, or resources today? How might stepping out in generosity shift your perspective from lack to God’s abundance?


Day 4: Joy Is Cultivated Through Daily Spiritual Practices
Joy is not a fleeting emotion but a fruit cultivated through consistent spiritual disciplines—daily gratitude, prayer, time in God’s Word, and trust in His ways. Just as physical strength is built through regular exercise, spiritual joy grows as we faithfully practice these habits, drawing us closer to Jesus. Whether on the mountaintop or in the valley, this cultivated joy becomes a steady reality, rooted in the presence of Christ rather than the ups and downs of life. [36:38]

Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What is one spiritual practice—such as gratitude, prayer, or time in Scripture—that you can commit to daily this week to cultivate deeper joy in Christ?


Day 5: True Joy Is Found in Knowing Jesus
The foundation of lasting joy is not found in circumstances, achievements, or even religious activity, but in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. God’s grace, given through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, offers forgiveness, new life, and the fullness of joy to anyone who calls on His name. This joy is available to all, regardless of past mistakes or present struggles, and is the result of receiving God’s love and choosing to follow Him. [39:15]

Romans 10:9-10, 13 (ESV)
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Reflection: Have you personally received the joy that comes from knowing Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If not, what is holding you back from saying “yes” to Him today? If you have, how can you share this joy with someone who needs it?

Quotes

Possibly the storms in our life give us an opportunity as we read to wake up to his plan. Say, "Ah, okay. And the scripture says, "He gives me the desires of my heart." But what comes first, the chicken or the egg? Yeah. We have a great confidence that he'll bring everything together for good. But it takes a love. Yes. And a recognition that he's God, not me. Many of us want God to fit into our plans. God's waiting for you and I to embrace his plans. This is where great confidence comes from. [00:16:46]

Now, if we as followers of Jesus truly believe all things work together for good in our lives, then the truth is we should be able to look at any trial and face it with the most logical response being joy. Wow. What if it were true that the only reasonable response for Christians when facing a challenge was to be joyful? Amazing. Because when we see it, not through our lens, but through God's promises, joy is our reality. [00:17:44]

Joy is not about waiting for things to go right in our life. It's actually about a recognition and a deep satisfaction that God is presenced with me always even right now. Now, I may not know you by name or may not know your situation, but what I do know is God is still God and God is still good. And God knows right where you're at and he is deeply concerned for you. [00:18:29]

So you and I at any stage and at any moment and at any mountain we're climbing or we're facing, we can actually respond with joy. So let's get practical. We're going to look at three what I would call joy activators are in our lives. Is that good? So if you're taking notes, because we all know if you take notes, you get to go to heaven. [00:19:02]

The first joy activator is simply this word gratitude. It's a thankfulness or an appreciation. Let's get really raw for a moment. Outside of the worship where we song sang a song about gratitude. Have you thanked God today that he gave you today? Rhetorical kiss and don't answer it. We don't need a condemnation in here. There's none of that in Christ Jesus. [00:19:36]

Each and every day do we wake up and the first thing we say is thank you God that I've got breath. It's the first activator because it's an acknowledgement no matter what I'm facing or what might happen today, God is still God. And God is still good. [00:20:11]

But if you go in thanking God for the day he's given you. And whatever comes your way, God is with you, no matter how many things don't go the way you wish they did. You'll pop out of Sunday and go, "That was a good day in his house." Gratitude actually allows joy to not be a concept at the end of a favorable circumstance, but gratitude allows joy to be down in our heart. [00:20:50]

Can I encourage you that even if your story is not one where you've grown up in church, God's been deeply concerned for the entirety of your life about you. So true. And this is why often we have to look back and realize God's been faithful. Maybe it doesn't feel like it because of something someone did to you. It doesn't feel like it because you let yourself down by a decision you made. [00:22:09]

I want you to understand that we can give thanks to him and praise his name, bring gratitude because God has always been there and always will be there. And the moment we thank him for the very fact that he created the earth, picked up some dust, breathed into it, and bang, humanity arose. Let alone his faithfulness when humans stuffed it up. [00:22:38]

So, here's the question under gratitude that I want you to answer this week. Is the sound of my life an unending complaint or an unending compliment? Is the sound of my life an unending complaint or an unending compliment? [00:23:14]

Honestly, so so often in life, we lose gratitude. And we lose joy. First activator is gratitude. Secondly, the second activator of joy is guidance. This is now not about thankfulness or appreciation. And this is actually about obedience and surrender. Who's leading you right now in your life? What is leading you? The prognosis, the global headlines, inflation, or God's word? God's will, God's way. [00:26:31]

When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love. So he works everything together for good for those who what? Love him. How do you love him? Obedience. When you obey dad's command, life goes well. How many you know when one of my kids comes up and says, "Dad, I love and there was no reason. Not only am I surprised, but I'm also going to make sure they get a second lolly when everyone else only gets one. Not rocket science, right? [00:27:16]

And Jesus here is making the distinction that he's not asking us to do something he hasn't and isn't doing himself. Just what does he say? Just as I obey my father's commandments and remain what? In his love. And then I love this. Jesus himself says, I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Now watch this. Yes, your joy will overflow. [00:28:10]

So, if I obey, I remain in his love. So, I just got to follow how Jesus does it. And then he says, you will now be filled with my joy. Watch this. And now it's not no longer just his joy, but the joy of our lives will what? Overflow. Yeah. So now the joy, joy, joy that's down in my heart, that can't be taken, but often we let go of can be a continual resource to me and to others around me if I allow him to guide my life. [00:28:46]

There's something called truth that's stronger than our trials, right? Because truth is able to withstand mockers, liars, abusers, and even can transcend death. All the while producing an overflowing joy in our lives. God's joy is not based on circumstance or a fleeting moment, but it's actually anchored in his eternal nature, his righteousness, his creation, and his redemption plan. [00:29:20]

If joy isn't a momentary thing, then we must understand it's a lifelong journey of a cultivation of getting up every day and thanking God. Getting up every day and praying, getting up every day, spending time in his word, taking communion, trusting him at his word, trusting him at his will, trusting him at his way. And as we start to put these daily spiritual disciplines in place, huh, just like it's true if you want muscles, you need to go to the gym consistently. [00:36:31]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 18, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?

What triggers true confidence in God's plan?
How can trials be faced with joy?
What are key actions to activate joy?