The Joy Of The Lord Is My Strength

Over 45 years, many friends, family, and acquaintances often asked, “How can you be so happy all the time when you are going through hell?” After my memoir was released in 2013, those questions came more frequently as many friends were unaware of our dire circumstances until Battered Hope was released. 

My story is one in that I could easily have lacked joy. I do NOT share my story from a martyr perspective nor am I looking for pity. It is a story of victory and strength. I refused to be a victim and kept my focus on my Victor.

Joy Of The Lord

During those troublesome years, I did not question God. I chose to pray the prayer of thanksgiving knowing that God orchestrated my life. My job was to trust Him at His Word and all these things which He had promised would be fulfilled.

For those who do not know my story, here is a quick recap:

- Abusive first marriage (before any of the following on this list)

- Lost all our earthly possessions and business four different times. 

1-- Fire

2 --Theft

3 and 4 – Partners who stole our business 

- Husband falsely imprisoned (later pardoned as innocent)

- Lost two children

- Raped and left for dead on the street

- Uterine cancer

- Husband’s car accident left him with permanent brain damage

I understand pain. Grief was often my companion. I empathize with those who have endured severe trauma. I relate to a broken heart.

Yet, through all the years of struggle, I kept my focus on God and His promises. As difficult as it was, I did not question His timing for I knew it was perfect. 

God Was Always My Comforter

Through my tears, God was always my Comforter. He assured me that all things work together for good, no matter what the circumstances are. 

I CHOSE not to blame or question God. I chose to forgive without a grudge each time. This is a matter of choice and what makes us victorious. My faith was steadfast and in God alone.

For the full story, my memoir is written as a novel and will keep you turning the pages to find out how I survived. I guarantee you will enjoy it and find it encouraging.

To answer the question as to how I maintained an attitude of joy and laughter is from Nehemiah 8:10 which tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. You may have quoted that verse but at times found it difficult to experience true joy. 

The most important aspect of this verse we need to understand is that it is the joy OF the Lord. It is not joy we ‘put on’ to those around us. It is not our natural joy or laughter we use to cover up what is going on in our minds.

Joy That Comes From God

It is how we can remain joyful during the direst circumstances. The answer is in Nehemiah 8:10.

“Then he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.@

So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.”  And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly because they understood the words that were declared to them.”

The root word for strength in the Strong’s concordance is defense, fortress, helmet, protection, refuge, safety, strength, and stronghold.

The joy of the Lord is our safety! It is our protection! When we grasp that, it removes all doubt and fear regarding anything happening around us. 

One of the keywords in that verse is that tiny two-letter word “OF.”

The Joy Of The Lord Is Constant

In our natural person, it would be close to impossible to be filled with joy when we are going through trauma. 

The joy OF the Lord is constant. It is unchanging. It is always present. It is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

Tap into that joy. Let the Lord’s joy flow through you and ease your pain, your suffering, and give you supernatural enduring strength. 

And an added perk is that the devil has no access to it. He cannot steal it. It is from the Lord.

Even when we feel at our lowest, we can tap into that joy that comes from our spirit – God’s joy. 

It eliminates striving.

It eliminates struggling.

It eliminates begging

It eliminates asking God to give you joy. You ALREADY have it.

You do NOT need to pray and ask for it. God has already given it to you. Choose joy. 

When you pray, remember to thank God that He is your joy. Thank Him that no matter what you are going through, He has promised you joy, peace, and longsuffering. You can endure anything when you tap into God’s joy.