There’s a surprising joy that lives on the other side of obedience. Not the kind that’s loud or flashy—but the kind that feels like peace in your bones. Like knowing you’re right where you’re supposed to be.
But here’s the thing: joy doesn’t always show up before the step. Sometimes, joy is the fruit that grows after obedience has taken root.
“I used to think obedience was about giving something up. But I’ve learned that it’s actually about gaining something better. Joy follows obedience like sunrise after night.”
– A Pace of Grace, Chapter 5
We often picture obedience as a sacrifice. And yes—sometimes it is.
It might mean surrendering comfort, control, or clarity.
It might mean showing up when you’re tired, or saying yes when you’d rather hide.
But it’s in those very places that God begins to reveal the joy He’s been preparing all along.
I’ve said yes to things that felt bigger than me.
And I’ve said yes to things that felt too small to matter.
But again and again, I’ve discovered that when I follow the whisper of God’s voice,
He meets me with peace.
He multiplies the fruit.
He brings the kind of joy I could never create on my own.
“Obedience is not a life of deprivation. It’s an invitation to live fully aligned with the God who knows how to care for your soul.”
So if God is nudging you toward something today—big or small—don’t wait for the feeling to follow.
Take the step.
The joy may not come first, but it will come.
Reflect + Respond:
Is there a step of obedience you’ve been avoiding because it feels uncomfortable or uncertain?
What joy might be waiting on the other side of your yes?
Ask God to meet you there. He’s already ahead of you in the outcome.
Scripture for the Week:
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”
—Psalm 126:5 (NIV)
💛 From the Pages of A Pace of Grace
This post is inspired by Chapter 5 of my upcoming book, A Pace of Grace: Steady Your Spirit When Life Gets Messy—coming February 2026 from Leafwood Publishers.
Because the joy of obedience isn’t a feeling.
It’s the quiet confidence that you’re walking with God—even when the path is unknown.
