Do you struggle with your mood? Emotions? Attitude? Motivation? I do.

Whatever you choose to call it, we can sometimes feel down, discouraged, depressed or unmotivated.

So, what’s the answer?

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Joy is valuable and energizing. Powerful.

Joy needs protecting…the enemy knows it’s worth stealing, so be sure to guard it!

The good news is that the Word says that joy and strength go together and that we get both when we are in God’s presence.

Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place. 1 Chronicles 16:27

More good news is that it’s the Lord’s joy, not an emotion of our own conjuring. We receive the Lord’s joy and it strengthens us.

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

And one more bit of good news for us today is that as God gives us victory, our joy can be great as we acknowledge that we have been given that victory by Him (v. 1) and that just being in His presence imparts joy to us.

Psalm 21:1-7

O Lord, the king rejoices in your strength.
    How great is his joy in the victories you give!
You have granted him the desire of his heart
    and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah
You welcomed him with rich blessings
    and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.
He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—
    length of days, for ever and ever.
Through the victories you gave, his glory is great;
    you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.
Surely you have granted him eternal blessings
    and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
For the king trusts in the Lord;
    through the unfailing love of the Most High
    he will not be shaken.

Today, choose joy over discouragement, depression, or a lack of motivation. Position yourself to receive the joy of the Lord and feel His strength flowing into you. Psalm 4:7 says that the Lord fills our hearts with joy…even more gladness than having abundant provision.

Right now, pause a moment and ask Him to fill your heart with joy. He is faithful to give us what we ask for when we ask according to His will.

Joyfully,

Rebecca

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