Read: Nehemiah 8:9-12
Life can be hard and difficult at times. Sometimes we are at a loss to explain or understand things that happen. But in the midst of those challenges we must remember to celebrate the good things and the blessings in our lives. It’s often too easy to focus on the hard things and forget to celebrate those good things. Truthfully, the good most often outweighs the bad.
In Nehemiah 8 we are reminded that the “Joy of the Lord is your strength.” It is in this joy, the joy of God and the love of Jesus Christ that we find strength to make it through the hard and difficult things of life. Joyce Meyer says “At times you have difficulties and at times you don’t. We all deal with issues in life. Celebrate the victories. Focus on the things going right.”
Joyce is encouraging us to focus on an attitude of celebration instead of an attitude of defeat. And focus is the key word there. Where are you placing your focus? Is it on the joyful things of life as Nehemiah mentions, or is it on the things that tend to bring you down? Do you hang around people who drag you down or lift you up? Where are your thoughts most of the time?
Joy in our life can be like a magnet that pulls people in. People desire to be around those who are joyful and celebrating life. We all have the choice to be that kind of person. It begins by celebrating who you are in God. You are fearfully and wonderfully made by the Lord, as David proclaims in Psalm 139. Celebrating life begins by celebrating God’s love for you.
No matter what your past looks like or what you are facing today, God’s love for you remains the same. Jesus came to bring you peace, joy, contentment, and reasons to celebrate. Dwell and focus in on those truths and don’t let the challenges of today distract you from the many reasons you have to celebrate life. Remember, The joy of the Lord is your strength!
Make it Personal: What is weighing you down today or this week? Name it, but then release it to the Lord. Ask God to help you focus on the many blessings in your life there is to celebrate. It begins with you. God celebrates you as his own. Join the Lord in that celebration today.
