Troubles come and go. Well, it seems that they mostly come these days. And then there’s work … and chores. Plenty of them! During all that, peace of mind and cheerfulness can be ever elusive. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Things that can make us unhappy don’t have to drag us down. Believe it or not, we can be cheerful amidst them. Even mundane tasks like doing dishes, mowing the lawn, or housework can be done cheerfully and for God’s glory through pure joy. What is ‘joy,’ and how is that possible?
Joy is a cheerfulness that comes from within. It manifests as calm delight or great gladness. Unlike happiness, which depends on external forces, joy’s cheerfulness is generated deep within our souls. Its power enables us to rejoice amidst trouble, as we see in James 1:2 (“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials”). The apostle echoes a similar sentiment in 2 Corinthians 7:4. Rejoicing during hardships might seem impossible, but God’s Spirit enables this ability.
He gives His Spirit to everyone who devotes to Him by ‘making Jesus Lord’ (Romans 10:8-10). That Spirit comforts us. Heals us. Illuminates so we see truth and life. He also produces joy when we walk with Him, as seen in Galatians 5:22 (“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control …”). When we allow the Spirit to change and guide us, anything good is possible—even being of good cheer in the middle of trouble or tedious chores. Catherine of Siena, a 14th-century theologian, taught much about this.
She stressed that we could (and should) find joy in everyday tasks, thinking of them as acts of worshipful service. To her, daily duties should be a form of devotion; “even the most mundane tasks are opportunities to express love for God.” Joy can be found even in the smallest or most mundane task, “considering nothing too little when done for God.” How can we do this practically?
First, remember that God gave you life; every breath and act belongs to Him. Therefore, we can imagine that everything we do is for Him in some way. Second, the transforming power of God’s Spirit changes how we look at chores or hardship—our minds are renewed when we are in harmony with Him. Finally, turn boring stuff into challenges; congratulate yourself for accomplishing them or persevering through trials and trouble.
Summary. You can be joyful—of good cheer—during trouble or while doing boring tasks through the mind-transforming Spirit of God and approaching those situations differently. So, where will we go next? Let’s explore “Jesus in the Underworld” as I correct faulty thinking and traditions about what Jesus did when He was in the earth for three days before His resurrection. Until then, walk by God’s Spirit and find joy in anything, even the mundane!
God’s blessings and peace, Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.
Equipping believers to become followers through discipleship! 
This is really inspiring. How good and pleasant it is to be joyful in everything we do and all that comes our way, even in the hardest, boring troubling times. The power of joy propels us to overcome such threatening life issues. Thank you my mentor for sharing this with us.
On Mon, 24 Mar 2025, 18:32 Equipping believers to become followers through
Amen! Thank you for your encouraging comment.
Very insightful. I feel that there are so many people under hardship and adversity, that finding joy in the Spirit is of high importance. Especially in the West, where many people have a high expectation of their standard of living and the joy they anticipate from earthly pleasures, we can fail to notice and understand that these are only temporary and fleeting entertainments, not “real” joy.
I have been convicted of grumbling about mundane tasks in the past, or trials through my employment, or especially financially and through health trials, but the joy of God and His gift of life and His Spirit through Jesus Christ is what we need to remember. So many other problems can clutter the mind, but we can be accountable to each other and help to remind each of us that true joy given as a gift from God to His faithful followers is the real joy to seek. May we all be transformed by the power of God with His illumination to find this joy.
Thanks again Ron!
Great feedback, Conrad!