“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
” A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Proverbs 17:22
As a Christian just where does our joy come from? The bible tells us that our joy is produced by the Holy Spirit. When we go to God, we hope in his goodness to have a lasting effect in our lives. As we begin to believe in Him and trust Him, our hope turns into joy. As the Holy Spirit leads us through each day joy becomes a strength in our lives. If the Spirit is not producing joy in our lives, then it is important to consider that there is something that may be blocking the work of the Holy Spirit. Joy is connected to strength and if we allow doubt, worry and fear to enter into our lives, then they will drain our strength. Joy is not something that can be taken from us. It is something that we give away. We allow the things of this world to enter, and when we do, we allow the ways of the world to steal away our joy and strength. As believers, our source of strength is not found in our own abilities or circumstances, but rather in the joy that comes from knowing and serving the Lord. Joy is a gift from God, and it is something that needs to be celebrated and shared with others. As Jesus tells us in Luke 6:23: “Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven.” Our focus should be on the things to come. Our focus should be on Jesus and the future he provides for us. When our focus is right then our joy and our strength is great and will spill over to those around us. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!
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