Tag: joy

  • The Joy that Strengthens

    The Joy that Strengthens

    “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
    Nehemiah 8:10

    There are moments in our walk with God when His Word meets us right where we are—sometimes in our joy, sometimes in our sorrow, and often in the places in between. Nehemiah 8:10 is one of those verses that speaks powerfully into both our weariness and our worship:

    “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

    This wasn’t spoken during a festival, nor at a moment of personal triumph. It was spoken when the people of Israel were weeping. As the Word of God was read aloud for the first time in years, the people realized how far they had drifted. Their tears were honest. Their hearts were touched. Yet God’s response was surprising:

    This is not a moment for mourning—this is a moment for joy.

    Why?

    Because conviction is not condemnation.
    Because restoration is God’s heart.
    Because when God’s Word brings clarity, it also brings comfort.

    The joy Nehemiah speaks of isn’t the fleeting kind. It isn’t based on everything going right. It isn’t built on your performance, your perfection, or your current peace level.

    This joy comes from the Lord Himself.
    It is rooted in who He is, not how we feel.

    His joy strengthens us because it anchors us to a God who never changes.

    When life overwhelms, His joy steadies us.
    When disappointments come, His joy lifts us.
    When strength fails, His joy renews us.

    Sometimes we look within for strength and find we are empty. But Nehemiah 8:10 turns our eyes upward, away from striving and toward receiving.

    God is not asking us to muster up joy.
    He invites us to receive it.

    His joy is:

    • A gift
    • A promise
    • A well that never runs dry
    • A force that strengthens our soul

    No wonder Scripture calls it strength. Joy rooted in God becomes spiritual resilience. It becomes endurance. It becomes hope with backbone.

    Nehemiah instructed the people to celebrate—to eat, drink, and share with those who had nothing prepared. Their celebration wasn’t trivial; it was an act of obedience. It was a declaration:

    God has restored us. God is with us. God is faithful.

    Sometimes choosing joy is an act of faith.
    Sometimes celebration is warfare.
    Sometimes rejoicing is how we remind our hearts that God is still good.

    When you feel week, remember this:

    You do not have to be strong in yourself.
    Your strength does not come from having it all together.
    It comes from being held together by God.

    The joy He gives:

    • Revives what feels worn
    • Calms what feels chaotic
    • Strengthens what feels shaky
    • Rebuilds what feels broken

    His joy is not fragile—therefore, neither are you.

    Reflection Questions

    1. Where in your life do you need the strength that only God’s joy can give?
    2. What is one sorrow, worry, or burden you can lay before Him today?
    3. How can you practice joy in small, intentional ways this week?

    A Prayer

    Lord, thank You that Your joy is not dependent on my circumstances, feelings, or strength. Thank You that Your joy becomes my strength when I feel weak. Help me receive the joy that comes from Your presence, Your promises, and Your faithfulness. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and help me walk in it daily. Amen.

    With love and joy,

    Laura

  • Where is God in the Shadows?

    Where is God in the Shadows?

    Jesus did not come to explain away suffering or remove it. He came to fill it with His presence. ~Paul Claudel

    We have many questions when we face difficult and tragic situations. One of the biggest is: “Why do bad things happen to good people.”

    A natural response when bad things are happening, is why? If God is good and all powerful, why doesn’t He stop the pain and suffering?

    God sits with us in our sadness. Accompanies us through the valley of the shadows. Holds our hand in our moments of fear.

    Suffering will look different for every believer in Jesus Christ. However, the desired end result should look the same when following Christ. 1Peter 4:12-13 MSG says, 

    “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.” 

    When I choose to let Him, God fills me with His presence in my spirit. I can feel strong in the middle of that weakness.

    Emotionally, it’s called a pit of despair for a reason. A hole can be dug inside us so deep that it seems everything good has been excavated from our lives.

    We all experience it in different ways. You may have lost someone you love. Or you may have found yourself in situations you never dreamed you would be facing.

    A pit is dug. And despair is the first visitor that wants to knock at your door.

    It’s in those moments I pray for God to get me out of His way. It’s those moments when I start praying for Him to change my heart for what He wants. Pray that I can be aware of the opportunities He has planned for me.

    It’s taken me a while, but I realize, this life is not about me. It’s not about my wants and desires. It is about Him. It’s about me saying yes to what He can do through me.

    It requires me to trust Him completely. It doesn’t change the loss. It doesn’t improve my earthly situation.

    But it does change the suffering.

    It allows me to not answer the door to despair and instead invite His presence into the pit. The pit looks jagged and deep. It turns out to be a God-shaped hole in the center of our beings. A hole that is dug by circumstances and choices, and we can choose to fill it with His grace.

    We all live in a place of unknown realities. He has ensured that we don’t have to suffer.

    We get to choose whether to trust Him. Then, ask Him to show us how He wants to use us.

    Then, say yes.

    With love and joy,

    Laura

  • The Luck of the Irish: Finding Blessings Beyond the Blarney Stone

    As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, many of us will be donning green attire, searching for four-leaf clovers, and perhaps even kissing the Blarney Stone in hopes of securing a wee bit of good fortune. But as Christians, we know that our blessings come from a much higher source than a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

    While St. Patrick’s Day has become synonymous with all things Irish, it’s essential to remember the real story behind this beloved saint. Patrick, a humble Christian missionary, was instrumental in spreading the Gospel to the Emerald Isle. His unwavering faith and commitment to sharing God’s love with the Irish people had a profound impact on their lives and culture.

    As we reflect on the concept of “luck,” we’re reminded that our blessings come from God’s sovereign hand.

    Jeremiah 29:11, we’re told, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

    This promise reassures us that our lives are not governed by chance or fate, but by a loving God who desires to bless and prosper us.

    So, what does it mean to experience good fortune as a Christian? Is it merely a matter of chance or coincidence? Absolutely not!

    When we acknowledge God as the source of all blessings, we begin to see that every good thing in our lives is a direct result of His loving providence.

    In Deuteronomy 8:17-18, Moses cautions the Israelites against attributing their success to their own strength or abilities, reminding them that it is God who gives them the power to prosper. This same principle applies to our lives today. When we recognize God’s hand in our blessings, we’re compelled to give thanks and glory to Him, rather than relying on luck or our own efforts.

    As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, let’s not get caught up in the notion of relying on luck or chance for our blessings. Instead, let’s fix our eyes on the One who is the source of all good things. May we, like St. Patrick, be faithful in sharing God’s love with others and trusting in His sovereign providence to guide our lives.

    How can you, like St. Patrick, share God’s love with others and trust in His sovereign providence to guide your life?

    With love and joy,

    Laura

  • Limited Visibility

    Limited Visibility

    Moments in time.

    One BIG learning I have had in my life is to be intentional in savoring the little every day moments. There are moments that may not seem a big deal at the time. But, they become a big deal when they are gone.

    I learned this very quickly after losing my dad and sister. I realized that the things I missed the most were the things that I deemed little. They were even irritating at times.

    An example for me were the “dad joke’s” we’ve all experienced. Those jokes that we roll our eyes at and laugh a bit out of respect. Well, I would give anything to hear one of dad’s jokes again!

    I had the joy of spending this past week with my 1 and 3 year old grandchildren. I quickly realized that I had forgotten what it was like to get very little sleep! I also forgot that any plans I make might as well be dismissed. The kids’ plans take precedence.

    I don’t know about you, but I catch myself when I am in one moment, wishing for another. Instead of savoring the moments I am blessed with, I waste them wanting something different. When I do that, I am not appreciating the blessings God is giving to me.

    Moments are just that. Moments. Once they happen, they are gone. The moment is gone, but the memory of that moment lasts a life time. I want to be intentional in savoring every moment I have with those I love. I want to make special and joy filled memories for those I love to treasure for a lifetime.

    My eyes, no matter how clear and focused on Christ, are cloudy compared to His.

    I can’t see the beauty God is creating beyond what is right in front of me. I can’t see how He takes something that seems fearful, sad, or unjust, and shines His light in and through to redeem it into beauty.

    I can’t see ahead into the unknown and I have to remember that none of it is unknown to Him. 

    My job is to savor my moments.

    In my limited vision, at the age of 66, dad was taken away too soon. I trust that God has the vision to see where true beauty lies. I have faith and hope that He takes those times of hurt and sadness and shines His light in and through them to redeem their beauty. I choose to look for the beauty.

    He has the perspective. We have the life we are given by our circumstances. And if we trust Him, really trust Him, I believe He will always make sure there is beauty beyond our limited vision.

    And I will always praise Him for that.

    I am grateful for savoring many of the moments I had with my dad. The trips with him in the semi. The rides on the tractor when he was in the field. The days I was able to follow him around the farm and learn many life lessons. The calls I would receive from him when he was in the field. There are so many memories I savor.

    I want to create those same treasured moments for my children and grandchildren. I want to continue to create those treasured moments for me.

    I savor those moments and realize now more than ever the importance of those moments in my life. It’s those moments that I can turn to and fill my heart with joy.

    Be intentional in savoring the little everyday moments!

    With love and joy,

    Laura

  • The Love-Hate Relationship of Anticipation and Routine

    The Love-Hate Relationship of Anticipation and Routine

    Who remembers the song, “The Party’s Over” by Willie Nelson?

    Turn out the lights, the party’s over
    They say that all good things must end
    Call it a night, the party’s over
    And tomorrow starts the same old thing again

    I woke up today with this song running through my head. Yes, I’m weird like that. I’m guessing because it’s Monday after two weeks filled with Holiday parties and excitement, this is how I am feeling.

    As Christians, we’re called to live for today, trusting in God’s sovereignty and goodness. Yet, we often find ourselves torn between two opposing forces. The excitement of anticipating special events, and the comfort of routine.

    On the one hand, Looking ahead to exciting events like vacations, holidays, or milestones can bring us joy and motivation. We eagerly count down the days, imagining all the wonderful experiences and memories we’ll create. The anticipation can be a gift, giving us hope and something to look ahead to.

    On the other hand, an overemphasis on anticipating special events can lead to discontentment with our daily lives. We might find ourselves constantly wishing we were somewhere else. Wanting to do something more exciting, rather than living in the moment. This mindset can cause us to miss out on the beauty and blessings of our everyday routines.

    Routine, while often viewed as mundane, provides a sense of stability and structure. It allows us to form healthy habits, nurture relationships, and grow in our faith. Routine can be a means of worship. We are called to offer our daily lives to God and seek to honor Him in all we do.

    None the less, routine can also become monotonous and stifling if we’re not careful. As Willie Nelson put it, “the same old thing again.” We might feel like we’re just going through the motions, without any sense of purpose or passion. This can lead to feelings of restlessness and discontentment.

    So, how can we navigate this love-hate relationship with anticipation and routine?

    As I was processing this morning, a thought came to me. Whatever the Holiday or exciting event, could we treat each day the same way?

    What brings excitement to holidays and special events?

    • Creating memories
    • Laughter
    • Love
    • Serving
    • Preparing
    • Family
    • Friends

    When I look at this list, I realize, I can have this excitement in my day to day routine. I can experience what I love about the holiday or big event without all the work.

    I should be in servant and in preparing mode, praising Him every day. I can always find ways to serve others, being His hands and feet.

    I can choose to see the mundane of everyday life as a new opportunity. It’s a chance to love, laugh, serve, and create memories. Whether our family and friends are close or far away, we have opportunities to serve them.

    Technology can be frustrating and even a bit scary, but let’s choose to change our perspective. That same technology provides us an opportunity to love and serve others far away. To keep connected with them and check in on them.

    My praise is a direct reflection of the thankfulness in my heart. And, my thankfulness in all things needs to be of equal measure.

    Holidays and special events bring excitement and joy that pretty much smack us right in the face. But, just because they are extraordinary times and give us a rush, doesn’t make them more praise worthy.

    “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.”(2 Corinthians 5:9 NIV)

    “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

    Do all things – even the mundane, the day-to-day grind, to the glory of God. Find joy in your day to day journey as well as the big exciting times!

    I pray as we navigate the excitement and mundane of life, that we learn to appreciate the beauty of both anticipation and routine. May we find joy in the everyday moments and trust in God’s sovereignty over all things.

    With love and joy,

    Laura