— Advent, Advent Devotionals —

What Happens When We Partner Joy With Hope

It was a dreadful cold night.

It was an icy chill that penetrated your very bones.

Dodging the elements as best as we could, we started the car 20 minutes early and broke out the wool blankets for the road trip. We refused to let frost bite win in the negative degree air. We would duck and cover so that Jack Frost couldn’t nip at our noses.

Driving from one warm home to another seemed to put me in a contemplative and prayerful mood as we hit the snowy roads. As we settled for the ride after our struggle against nature from our front door to the vehicle, I witnessed another struggle. A mother fought against a snow bank pushing her baby in a thin stroller. Desperation in her push almost compelled me to jump out and offer my extra layers to her and her precious child, but she became a blur in the wind as we sped up and left her behind. We had hot cocoa waiting for us. Was there warmth waiting for her?

How could this mother have joy on this eve of celebration? How could her desolate situation warm when her barely covered body could hardly conquer the elements? Did she have hope despite adversity? Was our Savior’s birth even on her mind? Could joy of the truth get her through this season that life dealt her?

And I prayed… for the mother and her baby, for the homeless we would see huddled together, for the lonely hearts and the houseless pets. My heart opened to all in need, to all who were scared, and to all who needed hope.

I prayed that they would find warmth, comfort, hope and joy. Despite their neediness, the Lord has come and He is the hope of the world.

Psalm 5:11 NIV

But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
    let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

When we place hope in the care of Our Father despite our circumstances, we can partner it with joy. Joy comes through the cold and dreary hand that seems to have been dealt to us.  Joy can permeate our beings when our entire lives are dedicated to living for the Lord.

These things together can and will propel us forward. We can look to a new day with an outlook that is pleasing to God and gives us something more than the dismal thoughts that the world wants to hand to us.

Joy can permeate our beings when our entire lives are dedicated to living for the Lord. Click To Tweet

Here is a encouraging saying, a promise that is fulfilled in the lives of believers. Hold tight and it will come and fill you with all that you need:

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.

3 thoughts on “What Happens When We Partner Joy With Hope”

  2. I have seen people with so very much be so desperately lonely and unhappy, and I’ve also seen people with so very little be absolutely filled with joy. Why? Joy comes from the Lord and not from things or our circumstances. Great post! Thank you for these reminders, Maryann!

    Pinned.

    Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

  3. Dear MaryAnn, thank you for such an encouraging post. It’s so true that hope and joy form an unbeatable partnership. The added bonus that they become contagious to those around us is what brings light to our darkened world. Thanks and blessings!

Join the conversation