Life often brings seasons of celebration—birthdays, anniversaries, holidays—but not every season feels festive. For some, the weight of loss, illness, or uncertainty overshadows what should be a time of joy. Health concerns, life stressors, relationship difficulties, loneliness, financial stress and many other factors can adversely impact our celebratory spirit. When the world around you sparkles with twinkling lights and cheerful music, it can be challenging to muster a celebratory spirit. Yet, as believers, we’re called to something deeper than fleeting happiness; we’re called to joy rooted in Christ, even when life feels anything but merry.

If you’re walking through a difficult season, this post is for you. Together, we can explore how to find joy and press forward in the midst of hardship, even when celebration seems out of reach.

Redefining What It Means to Celebrate

When life is hard, the idea of celebrating can feel hollow or even impossible. The key is to shift our perspective. Celebration doesn’t always look like throwing a party or feasting with friends. It can be as simple as pausing to acknowledge God’s goodness in the midst of pain.

Scripture reminds us, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4, ESV). Notice that Paul doesn’t say to rejoice because everything is perfect. He urges us to rejoice in the Lord. This kind of celebration isn’t based on our circumstances; it’s based on who God is.

Start by asking yourself:

• What small blessings can I thank God for today? (If even that seems overwhelming, look back on the couple of blog posts I wrote with some ideas [25 Unusual Things to be Thankful For, How Gratitude and Thankfulness Help Us Have a Good Day] or listen to my Thanksgiving week podcast episode where I shared how God challenged my heart and some ideas I thought of [How to Change Your Life with Gratitude and Neuroscience].
• How has He been faithful in the past?
• Where do I see His fingerprints, even in this challenging season?

Celebration begins with gratitude, and gratitude opens the door to joy.

 

 

The Power of Presence

One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and others during difficult times is the gift of presence. When life isn’t merry, it’s easy to isolate or withdraw. But God created us for connection—with Him and with others.

Consider the story of Mary and Martha when Lazarus died (John 11). Both sisters were grieving deeply, but when Jesus arrived, He wept with them. He didn’t rush them through their pain or try to fix their feelings. Instead, He offered His compassionate presence.

In the same way, celebrating in hard seasons often means leaning into relationships rather than pulling away. Invite trusted friends or family members to walk alongside you. Let them remind you of God’s promises when your faith feels weak. And don’t forget to lean into God’s presence through prayer and worship. Sometimes, simply sitting quietly in His presence is the most powerful form of celebration.

Finding Joy in Small Moments

When life feels overwhelming, the big picture can be daunting. Instead of focusing on what feels broken or unfinished, look for small, joy-filled moments in your day.

• A kind word from a friend.
• The beauty of a sunset.
• The comfort of a warm blanket on a cold evening.

These moments may seem insignificant, but they are whispers of God’s love and grace. Recognizing and savoring them is a form of worship. My recent blog post offers 35 more ideas [The Science of Gratitude and What It Does to Our Brains].

Psalm 16:11 reminds us, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (ESV). Even in the hardest seasons, God is with us, offering glimpses of His goodness if we’re willing to look for them.

Choosing Joy Over Circumstance

Celebration doesn’t mean denying your pain or pretending everything is okay. It’s about choosing joy in spite of your circumstances. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, not a product of our surroundings (Galatians 5:22). It’s something God cultivates in us as we trust Him.

This doesn’t happen automatically. It requires an intentional shift in focus. Instead of dwelling on what’s missing or broken, choose to focus on what’s true about God:

• He is good.
• He is faithful.
• He is with you.

When we anchor ourselves in these truths, we can experience joy that transcends our circumstances.

Practical Ways to Celebrate When Life Isn’t Merry

If you’re struggling to find reasons to celebrate, here are a few practical steps you can take:

1. Create a Gratitude List: Write down three things you’re thankful for each day. Over time, you’ll begin to notice God’s blessings more easily.
2. Serve Someone Else: Shifting your focus from your own struggles to meeting someone else’s needs can bring unexpected joy.
3. Engage in Worship: Whether it’s singing a favorite hymn, listening to uplifting music, or meditating on Scripture, worship helps reorient your heart toward God.
4. Light a Candle or Start a Tradition: Even a simple ritual, like lighting a candle and saying a prayer, can become a meaningful way to celebrate God’s presence in your life.
5. Speak Life Over Your Situation: Use Scripture to combat negative thoughts. For example, declare, “The joy of the Lord is my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). When we feel down, it can be more difficult to remember God’s promises to combat negative thoughts. That’s why I wrote a 90-day devotional entitled Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right to help start your day standing on God’s truth! (It makes a great Christmas gift or stocking stuffer too!)

The Ultimate Reason to Celebrate

As believers, we have a reason to celebrate that goes beyond any temporary trial: the hope we have in Christ. This hope isn’t wishful thinking; it’s a confident assurance that God is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28). It’s the promise of His presence now and the certainty of eternity with Him.

Isaiah 61:3 says that God gives us “a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (NIV). Even in seasons of mourning, we can trust that God is weaving a story of redemption and restoration. If you ever question if God can bring good from your painful trial, consider reading Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted or listen to one or several of the sacred scar stories in our “Sacred Scar Series” on Your Hope-Filled Perspective Podcast. Often, hearing the experience of others will encourage us in our own challenging seasons!

A Prayer for Difficult Seasons

Lord,
You see my pain, and You know my struggles. Thank You for being a God who draws near to the brokenhearted. Help me to find joy in Your presence, even when life feels heavy. Open my eyes to the blessings You’ve placed around me and teach me to celebrate Your goodness in every season. I choose to trust You, knowing that You are faithful, and Your plans are good. Fill my heart with hope and peace as I rest in You.
Amen.

 

 

Friend, life may not always feel merry, but we serve a God who is faithful in every season. By choosing gratitude, seeking His presence, and anchoring our hearts in His promises, we can find joy that endures—even in the midst of trials. So today, let’s celebrate not because life is perfect, but because God is good.

 

Life doesn’t have to be perfect to find joy. In hard seasons, God’s presence offers hope, comfort, and reasons to celebrate. Read more for how to start small—with gratitude, connection, and His promises. Share on X Feeling heavy-hearted this season? You’re not alone. Celebrate differently: notice the small blessings, lean into God’s presence, and find joy rooted in Him—not circumstances. Read more to renew your hope. Share on X

 

Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise that Your Pain is Not Wasted

Now Available!

 

We all endure trials, pain, and hardship in this life. Too often we believe these experiences disqualify us from being useful to God. But the truth is, your past pain and brokenness serve as preparation for what God wants to do in and through you – if you will surrender to and trust him.

Just as Jesus’s scars didn’t disappear after his resurrection, our emotional or physical scars tell our story and lend credence to our testimony of God’s love and power. If you are ready to turn your past pain into present comfort and future hope, let Dr. Bengtson be your compassionate guide.

Find out more and order here: Sacred Scars