Transformed: Emotional Health - Day 6

The joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

The secret to strength is joy. It’s not your desire or your determination that are your strength. It’s your joy. This means that one of the main reasons you feel you can’t do something or don’t have the strength to face something is a lack of joy. When you have joy, then you are able to find security in the truth that God has a plan, and you have strength for that day. 

Joy gives you strength for life’s greatest challenges. Mother Theresa’s job description for working with the sick from the streets of Calcutta was two simple items: desire to work hard, and have a joyful attitude. When you work hard but have no joy, you’ll find yourself feeling worn down by life, emotionally, physically, and spiritually exhausted.

How do you experience joy? The Westminster Catechism states, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.“ Eternity is going to be filled with the sound of human laughter...people enjoying God. You don’t have to wait to get in on that party! You can choose today to enjoy the goodness and greatness of God.

Nehemiah tells us that it’s the “joy of the Lord“ that we are choosing. Joy is not a matter of trying to work up a good feelings about yourself or the world around you. Sometimes there’s little to feel good about there. True joy centers on God. The joy that God gives starts by focusing on who God is. 

 Whatever circumstances you’re facing right now, spend a few minutes thinking about who God is. Thank about his grace, power, forgiveness, and patience. Think about his comfort and love. Let the joy that flows from remembering who God is become your strength for what you are facing today.

Next Steps. Write down your answers to these questions. 

What did you hear?

What do you think?

What will you do?

Now talk to God...

Work Cited

Warren, R. (2014). Daily devotions: Transformed: How God Changes Us. Rancho Santa Margarita, CA: Saddleback Church.