“You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.”
Psalm 16:11 NLT

The start of summer has a way of stirring something in us. Longer days, warm light, the scent of sunscreen and freshly cut grass — it all whispers of possibility. Of slowing down. Of something new.

And yet, joy doesn’t always arrive with the season. The calendar may say summer, but our souls might still feel stuck in winter. Disappointment lingers. Pressures press in. The noise of life doesn’t take a vacation.

So how do we receive the joy God promises when our circumstances don’t instantly shift?

Psalm 16:11 reminds us that joy isn’t found in everything going right — it’s found in God’s presence. He shows us the way of life when we walk with Him, not just in our big decisions but in our daily thoughts, words, and ways.

When we pause to acknowledge Jesus in the everyday — giving thanks while folding laundry, choosing kindness in a tense moment, inviting Him into our worries — we make space to experience His joy. Not surface-level happiness, but soul-deep gladness that grows as we trust Him.

So as summer begins, may we not just chase relaxation or fun or escape. Let’s seek the One who offers lasting joy. He is near. He is faithful. And even in hard seasons, His presence is our peace.

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