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Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10
My most often prayer for myself and others is for Joy to rise up in our Spirits. When my Spirit is full of joy, my burdens are light and my environment is peaceful. Romans 15:13 My body is filled with strength and sickness isn't found. Proverbs 17:22
My mind is creative and optimistic and my heart is loving and tender and thankful.
Grief is chased away. Psalm 30:5
When I am filled with the Joy of the Lord I can endure, I can press forward, I can overcome, I can give encouragement to others, I can move mountains, I can avoid temptation.
I know what it's like to live the opposite. As for me, I will choose joy.
It is not guaranteed simply because we are believers. There are times when joy eludes us. This is normal and we need to understand that there are times when we will not feel joyful. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says there is a season for all things. There is a time for grief and sorrow, but Joy should always return.
When grief, hardships, discouragement, illness, or burdens try to linger, mediate on scriptures about joy and choose to be joyful.
(Your feelings will soon match up with your choice!).
When you feel like you are lacking joy, speak it to your soul - Why my soul, are you downcast? Psalm 43:5
Bless the Lord oh my soul. Psalm 103:1
Remember where your help comes from, it comes from the Lord, and He will make your joy complete!