This last year has been the most wonderful and difficult of my life. Beauty and suffering mingled revealing real love.
I became a mom after a lengthy journey of seven years and was surprised to find the answer to my prayer more difficult than the long wait. I knew God would answer my prayer but I didn’t expect the answer to push, reveal and grow me like it has.
During a difficult recovery, multiple infections and tremendous lack of sleep, all was stripped away and I simply camped out in the throne room. I felt like I had my sleeping bag just a few steps away from His feet. I was welcomed to stay put as long as needed. I knew I couldn’t survive if I didn’t. There was no guilt or hurriedness or condemnation for not being stronger. Jesus welcomed me, loved me and enveloped me with His Spirit – the only thing holding me together.
I cried a lot. Hot tears flowing from pain but also a place of pure joy like I had never experienced.
When I was delirious from cluster feeding my daughter or feeling a complete lack of patience that scared me, I would think to myself, ‘The Joy of the Lord is my strength.’ His Spirit would bring back to my remembrance what I needed. Joy and strength . . . in that order. Joy then His strength comes.
From where does my joy come from? It comes from the Lord.
I am more over the moon 14 months later than I was at my daughter’s birth. The day-to-day details of this life are sometimes more than this heart can hold. Like a sweet little envelope exploding with hand cut heart confetti, I continue to be overjoyed at the blessing God has given me.
And only recently have I thought back to wonder what the Joy of the Lord really is? It was like my heart knew at the time but my brain hadn’t caught up yet. That verse is from Nehemiah. I was surprised that David hadn’t penned it in the Psalms. But it’s written by a guy building a wall. Doing back breaking work to secure his people from the enemy. {Sounds like motherhood.}
The people had just rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem and were hungry for the Lord. Ezra had given a powerful teaching and they were motivated to listen. But God’s truth revealed to them their true selves and their sin. And they mourned greatly. Then . . . this powerful verse shows up.
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” {Nehemiah 8:10}
How would they continue when their true selves had been revealed? They would exist in the joy of the Lord. His joy for them. His joy over them and in them. That was their strength from then on.
They couldn’t rely on themselves but the grace of God was more than enough. That called for joy.
I know it’s hard to have joy. It’s difficult to even be happy some days, much less thrive with a content heart full of peace.
But true joy can only come from the Lord. It’s OF Him. And in turn we are strengthened. Just like the Great Joy that was set before Jesus, I am learning there is usually suffering mixed in.
Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross. {Hebrews 12:2}
It’s surprising to me how the great trials of our lives, the times when we are the most broken, the moments when we call out in extreme need, are when Jesus is the most real and true Joy closely follows. The very joy we grasp for eludes us because we want to avoid the inconvenience of suffering.
I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. {Isaiah 61:10}
But let us not grow weary or lose heart. The Joy of the Lord truly can give us the strength we need to continue no matter the circumstances, not only fueling us to continue but allowing us to receive the true joy, peace and hope our souls so desperately long for.
My prayer for you and me today is that the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. {Romans 15:13}
Leave a Comment
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Stephanie,
How true these words are that you expressed – “The very joy we grasp for eludes us because we want to avoid the inconvenience of suffering.” How often do we pray that God would keep us from or remove our suffering? But, as you so wonderfully described, it’s in that very place of suffering that we find His perfect grace and thus His joy and then His strength. I can point to this cycle over and over again in my life. It breathes hope into me and has helped me to trust in His faithfulness. Thank you for sharing this morning 🙂
Blessings,
Bev
Sarah S says
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” {Nehemiah 8:10}
I love this verse. Grace is a beautiful thing. Thanks for sharing your joy in the Lord amidst your struggle.
Adah Gana says
The joy of the lord is my strength. She’s my strength four-year old healthy baby. I can still see her footsteps running to me. The love of my life. God smiled on me
Melanie says
Wonderful message. I’m finding for myself as well, that in my darkest moments, I see His light more clearly than ever.
Nonye says
The Joy of The Lord is my strength, without Him I am nothing. Thanks for this message.
Shelby says
This is so beautifully put!
Michelle Sarabia says
Yes! It’s seems sometimes that we have to endure a battle to either find pure Joy or to trust Him. Sometimes both. The faithfulness of God is a beautiful thing. Great post!
Katya says
Thank you, Stephanie! This is exactly what I needed to hear today. My daughter is 14 mo old too and I as well am more excited about watching her grow every day than I was when she was just born 🙂 Thank you for sharing so boldly the Lord’s truth. Many blessings to you.
Marisa Slusarcyk says
I love how you used so much scripture to write this because it shows us straight up that God wants joy for us, not suffering and that even when we are suffering we should give Him praise. We are so blessed. He is so good! Thank you, friend!
Anita D. Frame says
Your column is so uplifting – it seems like God is speaking to me thru your messages. Thank God for you,
tara says
Stephanie gave me chill bumps reading this as I myself have cried and prayed for a baby for 6 years , but I know now why God’s timing I’s so perfect as last year was not a good year but hey with God before me and carrying me every step of the way now I am expecting a baby I am truly blessed! !!
Andrea says
I love this! I learned true joy in the Lord through a surprise and difficult pregnancy. Its so incredibly amazing how He fills us inexplicably in the moments when we are shattered to pieces. Beautiful, Stephanie!
Beth WIlliams says
I totally agree with Bev. We want the “thorn” in our sides to be taken away and no more suffering. But without suffering where would our joy come from. Once we endure the suffering and God takes us through to the other side we can have joy in the Lord!!
He gives us the strength to endure all trials. He never said this would be an easy life, but endure trials and tribulation and finally at the end have peace with Him!!
Blessings 🙂
Joy says
Thanks for sharing this. This has been my experience and how I thank God for the freedom He has given me to live in HIS joy everyday. Blessings.
Sheri says
In reading this morning’s devotion your excerpt caught my heart. And I concluded that for me this is about birthing pains. Anything of value that is worth having comes with a price, or a struggle. And struggle every moment of everyday trying to be what HE desires with what we desire. In other words our flesh directs our motives every time GOD reveals HIS purpose for us. Just like the Israelites, we find ourselves grieving over the truth of who we are and Who we believed we were. So, no matter the struggle, we can rejoice in the LORD because GOD knows who we are and HE has way out of no way. The joy of the LORD IS My strength..not my joy, cause it’s only temporary and superficial. But the LORD’s JOY is all consuming and sustaining. Even when things are horribly wrong there is joy in the LORD. Thank you for the reminder to keep looking unto the hills for which cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, Psalms 121:1-2.
Nancy rodriguez says
This is beautiful. Yes The Lord is our strength
Lisa says
Great post! What a journey we are on. Ups and downs, highs and lows. But The Lord has already seen the outcome. We are never in this alone.
Rose says
New grace each day. Inspirational.
Oge says
Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece, Stephanie. It’s so true and encouraging. I actually needed to hear this. God bless you!
Itala Simone says
Dear Stephanie,
I found your message really encouraging ’cause my daughter would like so much to become a mother but she has some problems too … anyway she’s grateful to the Lord for the many beautiful things of her life and she’s always praying Him in to have a baby but if this will be in His plans for her! Since she was little I’ve always told her that in any circumstance she must confide on the Lord and have the patience to wait for His answers … He wants the best for His children!
Thanks for sharing your experience. Please pray for me and for Debby, my daughter.
Love in Christ,
Itala (from Italy)
Shelley says
Thank you for writing this very encouraging. I have been blessed with two children, my battle is a little different as my 27 yr old son currently works at a strip club as a bouncer, He is divorced from a pastor’s daughter and
Has not seen his own son in 4 years. It is heartbreaking I did not know so much pain could come from this. He was baptized as a teen and use to be in youth leadership. Staying close to God has become a way of life, my daughter is 11 years clean now but was a meth addict for three years. God has blessed me with 4 beautiful grandchildren.
Anita Shirley says
I always wondered why the reverse of the verse is not recorded here in the Bible.it doesnt say the strength of the Lord is ur Joy which also would have been understandably great.but the Joy of the Lord is kept primary here.the gift which is received and has no expectation from the receiver but all is due to,the giver,God here. If we delight in d joy given,it becomes,our strength.we need to make a choice to rejoice in d Lord!that’s our strength ppl.
Mary says
This struggle to find meaning and explain the purpose of suffering to others leaves me exausted as I have survived the suffering most of my life. I am trying to be an example of Joy through the trials. Unfortunately those close to me choose to see the timeouts, the rest and restoration as weakness I need. this time to spend time with God. My body and mind needs to take this time. After I am restored I can encorage others. This is often when I feel the enemy attack. God inhabits the praises of His people, and it is in His stregnth I function. Thank you for the scripture to back up what I am saying. God is my refuge and my sin has been atoned for at the cross of Jesus! We have victory in all these things. Press on and pray without ceasing for those who need to know our God and His Mercy. Do not fall for the enemy tactics. For when I am weak God is strong! We can pray that others see, and we are able to convey our blessings and breakthroughs to others!
Carlyle Johnson says
This is one of my most favourite scriptures…. “The joy of the Lord is my strength”…. and your devotional is beautifully uplifting…. May the Lord continue to bless you! – Carlyle Johnson In Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Gilda Daley says
Indeed! “The joy of the Lord is My strength”
This a Great reminder to us all. God’s richest Blessings as you continue your invaluable work.
Kingston, Jamaica
Sarah says
Thanks for the “incouragement”! I, too, walk daily in the strength that comes from the joy of The Lord in my heart & life, a joy too wondrous for words! How can we, mere mortals, contain it? It is one of the sweet mysteries of His plan for us as His children, His chosen! Thanks again for your site! Your words have spoken great encouragement to me, especially lately!
John says
Thank you,
I was encouraged by your words,leading back to God’s Word.
Sharon E Danziger says
Thanks! The devotion really encouraged me! This year/ season have been challenging, and I felt the Joy of The Lord was robbed out of me, through circumstances, like leading a ministry, dealing with staff, being pregnant, I am slowly coming to the place of finding that Joy back, as things have quiet down and I await the birth of my daughter! Thanks for sharing! From ST.Patricks Grenada.
Norma says
I thank the Lord for the devotional because it has lifted me in my physical pain that I am suffering. The joy of the Lord is my strength.
Amanda Darlene says
This post was so encouraging to me yesterday that I just had to come back and read it today.
What a blessing.
It also reminded me of one of my favorite verses from Psalm 84
3″Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.”
Building your home and placing your babies at God’s altar? You can’t possibly be safer, more sane, or have better help than that.
Thanks again for the post.
Marinalva Sickler says
Interesting order Joy, first, and then, Strength! During this time, I have some many concerns that I forget that joy in the Lord will give me the strength to endure the events of my life. Grieving for my dad, praying for my elderly mom, ending a probate, and working on life’s issues. The distance between Brazil, where my parents live, and the thousands of miles separating us and the many years 19years won’t make things easy. I need Joy!
Grace D.Hanson says
Thanks for the powerful message. I am sharing this with a friend who is so overwhelmed by a problem that will not just go away. The joy of the Lord is indeed our strength. Indeed there is nothing impossible for our God.