Here St. James hints at a significant sign of a sincere Christian—joy. Yet, I’ll admit my Eeyore-self often struggles with manifesting joy in my daily life. On any given day, there are many barriers to joy—from big things like illness and financial worries to smaller things like angsty teenagers. When I’m finding it difficult to “consider it all joy,” I try to take a deep breath, refocus and seek a closer communion with God.
After all, the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us: “Only in God will [you] find the truth and happiness [you] never [stop] searching for” (CCC, 27). Leading a fun, happy life might seem like the target, but God is the bull’s-eye. If we keep our aim on him, then we help ensure we will have the graces to tackle whatever comes our way.
Lord, be with your servant Bill S and grant him the serenity to know that he is becoming the best version of himself - all that you created him to be. Bless him with abundant joy. Amen.
Joy is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control!” *** If I have the Holy Spirit, I have the seed of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. All of the above is one fruit of the Holy Spirit, not nine separate fruits! Whether and when the fruit does fully mature is the question…probably when I see Jesus face to face :-) I used to think of myself having some of the fruits and lacking on other fruits of the Holy Spirit…I was wrong! There is only one fruit and nine attributes of the same fruit of the Holy Spirit! The fruit of the Holy Spirit is a gift to make me more and more like Jesus, so I become little christ, therefore a Christian! *** let’s look at what James said about JOY in James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything!” *** I can’t believe what I m hearing…JOY starts with facing trials of many kinds. These trials will test my faith. My faith will grow through these trials resulting in perseverance. When I have experienced enough perseverance, I will be mature in my faith not lacking anything! ******* Faith is critical in my Christian walk because in James 1:5-6, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.” *** If my faith is in anyone or anything else other than or in addition to Jesus, I am in big trouble with God in James 1:7-8, “Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world (others and human beliefs) and they are unstable in everything they do!” *** So trials…joy of the Lord…perseverance…maturing faith…complete faith in Jesus only! Got it :-) *** The joy of the Lord is my strength! (Nehemiah 8:10) Amen! JOY - Jesus, Others, Yourself in that priority!
I have to share with you that something happened with Jessi last night that put me in stitches (joy no less :-) So Jessi texted me that she and her friends were having a Super Bowl party at her apartment last night. And she said, “We spent the first half watching the nickelodeon version and being very irritated LOL” Salina, “What?” Jessi, “The channel Nickelodeon!” So I changed the channel to Nickelodeon and saw the Super Bowl with really funny sounds, characters and graphics! Matt texted Jessi, “Watching the Super Bowl on Nickelodeon is like watching it with magic mushroom, LOL” And I was laughing so hard that I was crying! I texted her, “ Lol… to think of all of you at the party are future doctors watching Super Bowl on Nickelodeon!” They thought Nickelodeon bought the right to Super Bowl this year…and the first box on the left of screen that came up on YouTube TV was Super Bowl (Nickelodeon) and next to it was Super Bowl (CBS)
Sienna Rose fat fingers. I am till not a robot Ken
Kate I appreciate and always enjoy your comments and thoughts. Being a mom you know how life's a constant roller coaster. Loved tor Tigger analogy. Living faith family please keep praying for Carl and his mother Maryanne and Stephanie and her daughter Christine. Happy that baby Sierra rose is home. Jane you are always in my prayers and now I will add your daughter. Salina Stormy and Cheryl and Bill and Vicky I am hugging you with my heart Ken
Kate, you managed to explain well, the ups and downs of life... My former modus operandi was to manage anything that came my way down to a tee... I've learnt now that that's not how it works... through the good and bad I seek the Holy Spirit and thank the Lord over and over for his mercies... it's not a perfect world but it can be when we turn to the Lord through it all...peace to my islands as we celebrate two days of Carnival prior to the start of Lent
AMEN!
Kate I understand your words more than you can know. I have to giggle a wee bit about your Eeyore self. To get out those Eeyore times I try the "Tigger" moments. Life is a wonderful thing bouncy bouncy bouncy, that is "Ti double GG, er" Tigger. LOL Here's to all to have the bull's-eye of God and find more "Ti, double gg, er" moments. Blessings to all the LFF. May God be your bull's-eye and fill you with much happiness and strength to get through the tough times. May we spread his love throughout all the world.
Tigger moments! I love that!
Amen. :)
Thanks for this reflection Kate. Savoring those fleeting moments of joy is a gift. Life is messy, filled with ups and downs, challenging our demeanor and our grit. Focusing on the important is not always easy when the urgent things pop up. I love the concept of God being the Bullseye. Starting the week off and not feeling completely rested. Praying for more energy this week. Asking for prayers for my daughter who seems to be struggling at school. Amen.
Praying for your rest and peace, Jane, that only God can provide in Psalm 4:8, “In peace I will lie down and sleep. Lord, You alone keep me safe!” Amen!
Hi Jane, praying for you to have a restful sleep tonight. Sleep is sooo important. I struggle with that at times and was thinking about finding the patron saint of Sleep. I will keep you posted with my search. Lifting your daughter up in prayer for a clear mind, courage to ask the questions she may have about her studies, and for focus on the goal. It’s very difficult for young people to navigate these days. One thing she knows is how much she is Loved.
Jane may your ups out way your downs and give you the energy needed for this week and all of life. Prayers for your daughter in school they are trying times for kids not only academically but socially. Hugs to you both
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to those suffering in the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, the Sudan, and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Thank you, Kate, for your very beautiful and meaningful reflection. Thank you Patrick for sharing your story. So happy your granddaughter is doing better. I want to thank all the LFF for your prayers for baby Siena Rose and her parents. They brought her home from the hospital Sunday afternoon. Praying that she will continue in her recovery. A heartfelt thank you for all your prayers.
What a relief, Mary Ann! So glad to hear the good news about Baby Siena Rose. Hope her Mom and Dad are progressing well today. Prayers of Thanksgiving in order!
Oh Mary Ann thanks for letting us know. Good news lifts my heart this day. Continued prayers for them and continued health and happines.
Oh Maryann - just fantastic news. So great to hear this. We'll keep praying for full recovery of Sienna Rose!
Most think joy and happiness are the same. That may be the problem.
Hmmm… Is there a difference between joy and happiness? https://www.gotquestions.org/joy-happiness.html
So very true!!
Amen :)
Joy is an inner feeling. Happiness is an outward expression. Joy endures hardship and trials and connects with meaning and purpose. A person pursues happiness but chooses joy.
The first thing I did after reading your devotional Kate was to Google “Eeyore”, spot on. The second thing I thought was how honest you were and it’s so true the multiple curved balls that life throws at us do challenge us. But that’s what life does it challenges us to grow. As you said challenges range from minor to major. We had plans this weekend to mind two of our grandchildren in our home from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon. The parents needed some relaxing time together. Everything was set the parents booked some outings, we couldn’t wait to get our hands on the 3 and 1 year old dotes. Friday afternoon they arrived to us but the 1 year old was a bit off colour. She wouldn’t take her bottle, then we noticed a rash around her mouth which was quickly spreading. The planned weekend went up in smoke with doctors visits, baby crying and not sleeping or eating. Thankfully by Sunday afternoon the virus had waned and the baby was back to her beautiful smiley self. The parents and grandparents were in need of a bit of sleep and recovery. The doctors had said it was a virus that would pass after a few days, which it did, but did it have to be those two days. Looking back we all got stuck in and kept the baby comfortable, her older brother entertained, their parents even managed, at our insistence to go out for one meal. Sure, there was some stress and strain but worked as a team, our experience in parenting our children navigating these curved balls gave us the experience to help in the situation. When things go awry and I work through them, I often think to myself that in the past that situation would have stressed me and caused upset. But through having dealt with it in the past it is easily resolved and not a problem nor. These issues are opportunities for growth of one kind or another and in life with the right attitude and persistence we never stop growing.
Patrick, So glad to hear that :-) That is an excellent example of today’s reading in James! Thank you for sharing!
A good news update. We are having a little birthday celebration for our daughter, mainly the children blowing out the candles. Baby Cecily is feeling much better and eating, sleeping, smiling and blowing out candles. Thank you God, she has foot and mouth but is in the mend.
Thank you for a great example of “Life”, Patrick! I will be forwarding this to my daughter as she struggles when things don’t work out as she’s planned. Dah!!! Her children are the same age as your grandchildren, plus she has a 5 year old in the mix. She’s a slow learner when it comes to planning, but I’m confident she’ll survive Lol
Loved your reflection you are a great addition to the living faith family. Patrick seems like a eventful weekend. You guys didn't get to spoil them and send them home. Grandparents duty. Glad all worked out. Told my baseball team have to wait on curve balls, be patient and let them go if they are out if the strike zone. Ken
Patrick that is a tough weekend but I am so very glad it turned out happy in the end. May the opportunity arise soon for another weekend to enjoy the way it was originally planned.
Oh Patrick....God bless your whole house, kids and grandkids. Heavy sigh and on to the next time we can create that possibility!
Living Faith provides brief daily Catholic devotions based on one of the Mass readings of the day. Published new each quarter, these reflections are written by women and men from a variety of backgrounds - lay people as well as clergy and religious. Learn more.
Receive a free reflection for Sundays every week via email
About Living Faith Living Faith Foundation Ambassador Privacy Policy F.A.Q. Contact Us
© 2025 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, lnc. All Rights Reserved.
Finding joy amidst the struggles and challenges that we all face in life was a topic of conversation on Seize The Day this morning. I am the first to admit that there are many times when I don’t feel the joy of what our “retired life” looks like. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Yet there are many moments when I can see or feel the joy that comes with being a full time caregiver for my wife. I want more of those moments and less of the sad and frustrating moments that seem to come at me out of nowhere. Lord, give me the strength and patience to endure this trial. Help me to be the joyful servant that you want and expect me to be.