Why I'm Choosing Joy...God's Way!
by TL Coleman
I have a question for you. Have there been times when you’ve felt broken beyond repair? When life’s weight pressed so hard that joy and peace felt a million miles away? You’re not alone. This space was created for women like us. Those learning how to move past regret, fear, and anything else that causes us to lose hope.
I’d love for you to subscribe and join our growing community of women choosing to rise again. Together, we’ll uncover what joy looks like…God’s way!
It wouldn’t be fair to ask such a deep question without sharing my own journey. I’d love to know where you are in yours, because I know how hard it is to find joy when you feel stuck. The best part is: you don’t have to do this alone!
Introduction of How Joy God’s Way Began
“Joy isn’t something I stumbled into. It’s something I had to fight for.”
Outwardly, I was the cheerleader for everyone else, always smiling, always connecting, always “together.” But behind closed doors, I wrestled with toxic relationships, personal and professional insecurities, shameful consequences, bankruptcy, and deep personal loss.
The deeper I sank into pain, heartbreak, and betrayal, the clearer God’s whisper became “Joy is still possible.” And not just any joy…His joy. Joy that doesn’t deny the wounds, but gently wraps them in grace and gives them purpose. That’s why I started Joy God’s Way. Not to pretend life is always beautiful, but to proclaim that our God is!
My Story: From Battle to Breakthrough
For years, I allowed the voices of narcissists whether family, friends, or colleagues to drown out my own. I was told I was “too sensitive,” “too much,” or “not enough.” Their gaslighting seeped into my soul and made me question my worth, my dreams, and my calling. I clung to those relationships, trying to prove that I wasn’t all the awful things they said I was.
But God.
Through tears, journaling, prayer, and worship, another voice broke through the noise.
A still, small voice whispering:
“I’ve got you. I am all you need.”
From that point forward, I knew surrender was the only way forward.
“I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.”
— Jeremiah 29:11
What God Taught Me About Joy
Even after hearing His voice, my flesh still struggled to understand what true joy meant. So I went searching. The dictionary said joy was “the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying.” That sounded nice, but I knew my answer had to go deeper because my joy had to be rooted in Christ.
When I returned to Scripture, I found what I was looking for:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
— Galatians 5:22-23
Joy is fruit grown in soil that has been watered with tears and tilled by surrender.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
Joy is possible even when life is messy. It’s not about perfection, it’s about His presence.
Joy is a spiritual weapon. It silences shame, dismantles despair, and reminds the enemy that I belong to a victorious King.
Joy is my inheritance. Not because I earned it, but because I am His daughter.
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
— Psalm 30:5
What I Want for You
My prayer is that Joy God’s Way becomes more than just words on a page. I want it to be a safe space, a healing well for women who are ready to rise again and to know that:
You are not broken beyond repair.
You don’t have to earn joy, it’s already yours in Christ.
You can rewrite your story with God as your co-author.
Let’s Begin This Journey Together
I’ll be posting every Thursday and throughout the week sharing teachings, personal stories, prayers of encouragement and reflections to help you find joy in unexpected places.
If you’re ready to say yes to joy God’s way subscribe here and come along.
And tell me in the comments: What does joy look like for you in this season of your life?
Joyfully yours,
Tina
