I was a drama kid in high school. What do I mean by a drama kid? Well, my extra curricular activity of choice was the theater department. I loved being in the plays. The practices and performances were equally enjoyable to me. The camaraderie and community of working together for a common purpose bonded everyone who worked on a show, from the crew to the leading players. I was a drama kid. I loved it so much that I studied drama in college. I wanted to be an actress on the stage and imagined winning a Tony Award on Broadway, just like thousands of other starry-eyed drama kids.

The other part of being a drama kid was the off-stage theatrics. High school is an emotional time for kids no matter what activities they are involved with, but drama kids are all about emotion so every bit of feeling is enhanced and expressed. That said, there was not only drama on the stage, but plenty of it behind the scenes. Drama kids love drama. Tears, fights, depression, passionate short-lived relationships and extreme happiness were all part of the drama-kid package. I had my own share of behind-the-scenes comedy and tragedy. How else would you expect a drama kid to view life? Isn’t “all the world a stage”?

As I mentioned, I studied drama in college. The cameraderie and community continued as did the offstage histrionics. Young people are full of fervor and vibrant emotions and young thespians let them all hang out. But finally, overwhelmed by the intensity of my personal inner turmoil, I turned to Christ. There was a moment of deep sadness, desperation and confusion that caused me to cry out to Him with genuine earnestness and beg for Him to help me with all that I was feeling. And He did. He began to dismantle my internal drama and help me respond with more stability. Most of the changes happened slowly and subtly, but there is a moment I remember that was a major reset in my thinking and how I responded to life.

I was bumping in the back seat of a bus during a choir trip. As the rest of the Chamber Singers talked loudly, laughed even louder or stared out the window as sleep overtook them, I was experiencing a metamorphic moment of personal revelation.

Tears of loneliness, and melancholy continuously soaked my face. In short, I was having a self-pity party. The kind of party you don’t want to invite anyone else to. (They wouldn’t come anyway.) I was miserable. But I was talking to God about it, which was different. And the most amazing thing happened. I became aware of God talking to me. It wasn’t so much in words but in a realization. I began to grasp that the internal misery I had experienced for a long time had been my choice and that it didn’t have to stay that way. I could choose not to be miserable. It was February and the Lenten season was beginning in preparation for Easter. I decided to give up being miserable for Lent. Really, I did! If you aren’t familiar with the practice of giving something up for Lent, many churches encourage their participants to set aside something as an offering to God to prepare their hearts to celebrate the resurrection at Easter. It’s often a favorite food or activity or something like that. My choice to give up being miserable was probably the most significant thing I have ever offered to God during Lent. It changed my life.

That whole experience taught me that, although emotions are strong, they are often, not always, the result of how I choose to view a situation. As I made a conscious decision to respond differently I began to feel differently. Over time, a long time, I found the balance of a perspective that does not ignore emotions, but does not let them rule me. Finding this balance has enabled me to experience life with joy instead of misery.

Biblical joy is happiness based in God, a fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Whereas, earthly joy is circumstantial, Biblical joy is not swayed by circumstance. Spiritual joy is delight in the goodness of God, dependent on the character of God, not our circumstances. God has put His Holy Spirit, the essence of His character, inside of those who call on His name so that the Holy Spirit can guide our emotions. I know that perfect joy only exists in heaven, so the trials of this life become more expected and less impactful. Don’t get me wrong! There is definitely emotional impact, but there is also stability. I know and believe that this is not all there is, which makes whatever I face here temporary.

No matter what the circumstances of my life may be, I have learned to live with great joy because I believe that God is in control of my life. Because I truly believe that He is working all things together for good, in my life and on the earth, I am not as swayed by the ups and downs of everyday living. The Holy Spirit produces this fruit of joy as I remain connected to God. I can’t manufacture it. It is  supernatural, above the natural. This kind of joy only comes from God and is accessible to me, and to you, through the Holy Spirit.

Beloved, I don’t know what you are facing today, but I do know that joy is possible even in the midst of your greatest pain. May His joy and peace be with you.

Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation. - Kay Warren, Choose Joy

Key thought: Joy overflows when I choose to trust in God.

A Scripture to consider: “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John‬ ‭15:10-11‬ ‭NIV‬

A YES challenge: How do you respond to the drama in your life? Do you let circumstances make you miserable? Perhaps today could be the day that you choose to respond differently. Take some time to process with God and let Him show you what your next step is.

Prayer: Father, my life is full of ups and downs. Sometimes I have let those ups and downs dictate how I feeel. Help me not to be ruled by my emotions. Help me to choose to trust You and let that trust guide my feelings. Thank You for loving me and working all things together for good in my life. Amen.