On one family vacation, our schedule deteriorated almost immediately. The first night in the hotel, our three-year-old rolled out of bed and spent the next five hours awake and in pain. At the ER the following morning, my husband and I had a quick parent huddle.

“No matter what happens today, everything is going to be fun. This is our vacation, and it’s all a splendid adventure.”

We weren’t feeling fun or adventurous. We were feeling exhausted and worried. But we made a conscious decision to keep the day positive for the kids. We made the snack counter seem like a feast, the x-ray like a photo shoot, and the emergency room like a children’s museum.

One diagnosed broken collarbone and an arm sling later, we were back to having fun for real. The rest of our trip truly was fantastic, even when lots of little things didn’t go as we planned. Our decision to enjoy the time together, no matter the circumstances, transforms our joy from a forced effort to a genuine sentiment. 

Rejoice… Even When Family Vacation Goes Awry

Though the fig tree does not bud

and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails

and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen

and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the LORD,

I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign LORD is my strength;

he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

he enables me to tread on the heights.

– Habakkuk 3:17–19

These verses give clear direction about how we should react when we face difficult situations— rejoice. Not only should we not complain, but to take it a big step further, God calls us to react with joy. This reaction goes contrary to everything we naturally feel. It’s a conscious decision, regardless of the circumstances.

When life is difficult, rejoice in the Lord. When things feel out of control, rejoice in the Lord. When the future is uncertain, rejoice in the Lord. When the blessing you asked for turns out to be an overwhelming responsibility, rejoice in the Lord. 

While Habakkuk’s declaration begins with what seems like a forced decision to praise God, the effort quickly turns into a genuine sentiment of thanksgiving, acknowledging the amazing things God does to redeem our darkest moments. While choosing joy seems like an obligation at first, we can’t help but end with genuine gratitude and rejoicing. Whatever you face, rejoice in the Lord always!

A Choosing-Joy Prayer to Borrow

Father, thank You for giving me strength to choose joy in even the most difficult circumstances of life. Give me a heart that finds joy in Your presence, regardless of my feelings. Transform my heart and mind into a lifestyle of praise and devotion.

What set of circumstances do I need to choose to rejoice in today? ***

*** This excerpt appears in Erin Greneaux’s book, Sunday God Meets Monday Mom.

Meet Erin Greneaux

Where to find her . . .

• Website
• Sunday God Meets Monday Mom
• (More) Books
• Sunday God Meets Monday Mom Podcast
• Substack
• Free Weekly Devotionals

Begin Within is a series to inspire a year-round lifestyle of gratitude that will impact not only your own life, but the lives of your neighbors as well. Gratitude is a theme we talk about often around here because it ties so closely into other missional living rhythms. Practicing gratitude reminds to keep our hearts soft and expectant and our eyes open. Therefore, the more we embrace gratitude, the easier it becomes to truly see our neighbors and where we can join what God is already doing in our neighborhoods.

If you would like to contribute to Begin Within, you can find the submission guidelines here.