It’s May, and the magical 100 days of summer – Memorial Day thru Labor Day – is just around the corner! For me, summer means the beach, hot weather, and Dorney Park with my girls. They love the roller coasters now, but it wasn’t always that way. Each one had to move from fear to pure, arms-up joy.

At first, they looked at Steel Force and Talon and assumed terror. They couldn’t imagine those rides being anything but overwhelming. But once they trusted the design and the operator, everything changed.

That’s exactly how joy works in our walk with God.

When we recognize that God designed the ride – the hills, the drops, the unexpected turns – and that He’s the One operating it, fear loses its grip. What replaces it isn’t just relief. It’s something almost supernatural. Exhilarating. Transcendent.

Scripture tells us joy is a mark of a life growing closer to God. It’s good for you across every dimension: physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual. Even in hard seasons, God’s joy is available. It’s not the same as laughter or ease, but it’s steadier than both.

A few practical steps toward more joy:

Stop taking yourself so seriously. Make room for laughter and real fellowship.

Start each morning with gratitude – for the day, the opportunities, His grace.

Surround yourself with joyful people. Positivity is contagious (spend five minutes at a kid’s birthday party if you need proof

Simplify. I rarely see anyone simplify their life and it work out poorly. The “to-do” list will always be there. Don’t miss the moment you’re in.

Paul knew Who designed and operated his life’s roller coaster… and his ride had some serious drops. Yet he sang through all of it. He trusted the Designer, knew how the story ended, and threw his arms up anyway.

You can too. Your ride. Your choice. Choose joy.

RENEW YOUR MIND + REWIRE YOUR BRAIN

What “roller coaster” in your life feels most terrifying right now? What would it look like to trust God as its Designer and Operator?

On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate your current joy level? What’s one thing stealing it?

Which of the practical steps toward joy do you most need to put into practice this week?

Paul chose to sing through steep drops and hard seasons. What’s one circumstance in your life where you could choose joy – starting today?

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for designing a ride that leads to joy, even through the dips.

Help me trust You as my Operator, walk in Your freedom, and laugh often.

Build my faith so fear loses its hold and joy becomes my default. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

I encourage you to listen to “In Christ Alone” during this prayer time. This is one of my personal favorite songs.

THE TRUTH

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. – Proverbs 17:22

Note the bolded words in the below passage, think about the things that you have CONTROL over with your decisions.