Today I hurried out on an errand, not wanting to be late.  At my final destination I had to stop at a desk.  The woman there greeted me warmly and I responded in my usual fashion.   But, I was surprised when she said.  “You’re one of those positive people, I can see it in your face, too.”

 

The Joy of the Lord is My Strength : AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

I had been ‘zooming’ all morning and here it was 11:45 already.

The task at hand was one for which I was grateful, but on the other hand, I so wished that it wasn’t necessary.  Really, I can’t say that I was ‘feeling’ all that positive.

And then I pretty much put it out of my mind.

Until this evening.

As I was walking up the stairs to my writing space, the one I share with the “Pet Taxi,” clothes drying on the portable hanging rack, leftovers of past blog projects, and a few felines, I had an ah-ha moment.

The joy of the Lord is my strength.

 

The Joy of the Lord is my Strength - Quote - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

That is it.

That was it.

That’s what the lady saw in my face.

My face that has become lined from 5 years of unexpected stress.

My face that bore no make-up, so I could save the mascara for more important appointments.

My face that despite 5 years of disappointment and waiting, wears not mineral foundation, but a spiritual foundation of  joy.

Joy.

 

I may be scraping the corners of the eye-shadow container every Sunday morning, but I never have to scrape up joy.

I can’t even take credit for the joy.

It all comes from God.

 

What I can take credit for is the willingness to eat it, drink it, and wear it.

When I hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness I am filled up with his joy.

When I decide to think his thoughts that are higher than my thoughts I wear joy.

Joy can be an inside outside kind of thing.

But, generally, no one can see our joy on the outside if we never fill ourselves with it or wrap ourselves in it.

 

The joy of the Lord is our strength.

 

As I was walking up the stairs this evening, an old chorus came to mine, “The joy of the Lord is our strength.”  Do you know it?  Actually all I can remember is that single phrase and its tune.   That’s okay….I really don’t need to know more.

 

In the book of Nehemiah in the Bible it says…

Ezra:  Go back to your homes, and prepare a feast. Bring out the best food and drink you have, and welcome all to your table, especially those who have nothing. This day is special. It is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve over your past mistakes. Let the Eternal’s own joy be your protection!  Nehemiah 8:10 The Voice

 

In brief…God’s people had been in exile for a very long time for their disobedience.  Their city had been destroyed while they were away and they had come home to restore its walls.  This restoration was no easy feat; with one hand a man labored and with the other he held his weapon.  During the rebuilding they found the Torah which had been lost.  When the wall was finally completed, all the people were called together to hear God’s Word read.  They had not heard it in what seemed like forever.  It was a great day of rejoicing.   So much so that they were told to prepare a feast and share their food with all.   It was because of their stubborn prideful hearts that they lost so much….even their scriptures.  But…they were not to dwell on the past.  Instead…they were commanded to let the joy of the Lord be their strength.

 

The Joy of the Lord is my Strength - Quote - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

What difficulty or challenge are you facing today?

You can grit your teeth, suck it in, and pull yourself up by your bootstraps.

Or…you can fill yourself with God’s Word and his Holy Spirit.

That my friend is where we find our joy and resulting strength.

 

If you’re struggling…

It doesn’t take gutting it up to be positive.

Or even wearing a smile you “paste” on your face.

Or even deciding to “fake it ’til you make it.”

All it takes is a willing heart to make a place for God’s Word to dwell.

 

And a little time.

 

Grab a Bible and open it to the Psalms, or the book of John, or to your favorite passages.

Open it up and read and meditate on a few passages every day.

Do it regularly and don’t be surprised if someone says to you, “You’re one of those positive people, I can see it in your face, too.”

What they’re really seeing is, the joy of the Lord is your strength. 

 

 

oy Day - The Joy of the Lord is my Strength AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Today is Joy Day!

 

Want joy?  Giving thanks is one of best ways I know to get joy.  In addition to filling up on God’s Word…giving thanks is surely a way to take an ordinary day and make it an extraordinary day. 😉

Join me in looking back over the past week and counting ‘seven’ –
both the good and the not-so-good.  

I’ll start…

Thank you God for…

  1. your faithfulness.
  2. a mostly patient helpful husband who really tries to make things easier for me.
  3. getting the “go” from BlogHer after a 6 month wait.
  4. for the plans you have for Tim and me… plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give us a future filled with hope.
  5. these extra pounds around middle; they remind me I’ve had plenty of food to eat.
  6. a wonderful walk and more wildflowers to capture with the camera.
  7. your Word that dwells in me richly.

Now it’s YOUR turn!!

Join me in counting ‘seven.’
Scroll down to the comment section…Share Your Extraordinary Thoughts….and list your ‘seven.’
I dare you!

Want even more joy?  Take the Joy Dare here.


Thank you for stopping by today.
I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.

 

Joyfully!

Diane

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Comments

  1. This was wonderful!!!

    Thank you. Having lost my dear husband 17 months ago, I can definitely say that the joy of the Lord is my strength. Jesus has been my strength and is my strength each and every day.

    FlowerLady

    • Diane says

      Oh my sweet friend…I am so sorry for your hurting heart and so glad that you have found strength and joy in the Lord. May you sense God’s love and faithfulness anew every morning. And may he be your shield and protector.

      [hugs}

  2. 1. Another great reminder from your blog about joy and true beauty.
    2. Most of our 48 tomato plants are thriving, despite unseasonably cold temperatures.
    3. Numerous daily ‘chance’ encounters with people who express joy in the Lord.
    4. The realization that being “one of those positive people” is a good thing!
    5. The Bible, of which the wisdom jumps off the page even after 2000 years! (Talk about a classic!)
    6. The sun, shining on my face in the morning when I let the dogs out.
    7. The ability to stop, think, and realize the Son is shining in my soul.

    • Diane says

      Awww…thanks LuAnn….I would love to give you a big hug.
      Thanks for sharing your ‘seven’ with us today….aren’t we blessed people?

      May your week be filled with the joy of the Lord!! 🙂

  3. Gwen says

    1. I got this blog again in my in box!!
    2. This whole lesson was for me. My cousin died–too young–from a blood infection he got in the hospital following back surgery–and as I talked to his folks, my cousins…they mentioned there was something about me, in my letters, my notes…and I cried for I see brain damage , saying words wrong, but maybe they see the Joy of The Lord?
    3. Oh I love to hear the birds singing and chirping. Before I had trees it was so silent. I’m grateful for trees.
    4. My Mom and my big sis and little sis were so loving on the phone
    5. Flowers grow as blossoms end
    6. I did a lot and today I feel funny. I will make time to rest before company comes.
    7. My friend gives good advice
    My neighbor helped me bake a cake!

  4. Debbi Saunders says

    I am grateful for:
    l. For a spiritual Post on FB that I so needed to hear and a supportive prayer response for a reply.
    2. the people that have come together to help me find a discontinued auto part for my car that is not running!
    3. For the young woman across the street who is graciously allowing me to use her little Suv to go to work!
    4. For her Father, a mechanic, that is trying to fix my car…I could never have afforded an auto repair shop…
    5. all the many different ways the Lord uses to give me messages of hope and encouragement.
    6.a Bright Sunny Breezy Day!!!
    7. that the God is continuing to use me to minister to others even though I am broken and discouraged with the battle to try and save my home of 33 years…

  5. Debbie says

    Thanks for the encouraging post. Just wanted to add a thought. A while ago I was out and about and a man in the community I live in asked me if I was happy? I said yes and he said “tell your face”. Made me think about how such a little thing can impact those around us.. A smile can brighten anothers day.

    • Diane says

      Thanks for sharing that Debbie! 🙂 I in turn shared your comment on the AED Facebook page yesterday. Everyone needs that reminder. Especially me! You know….Tim tells me that when I don’t smile I look angry. Yikes!!! I need to remember to “tell my face” to be more in tune with how I think and feel. And really…everyone needs to see a smile. 🙂 [hugs]

  6. Kim says

    Yes, Diane! I can see how the woman saw joy in you. Your joy is contagious! It’s funny – that’s the only part of that song I remember, too. I saw a woman today who lifted my spirits with her smile, and I immediately felt joy. She was the type (I’m sure like you) whose eyes lit up when she looked at me. I was very thankful for her for that! I guess that’s my #1 today. I’m also thankful for you and your contagious joy, the difficulties we are facing, the lessons we are learning through it, how God is turning my unbelief into belief, my husband’s partnership in everything, and God’s love weaving throughout everything about this day. Thank you for reminding us to spread our own joy! 🙂

    • Diane says

      My friend…you’re walking through the mire…it’s so hard to pull your foot up and make the next step and yet you have eyes to see what God is doing and how he is with you and working and helping you make each step.
      Thank you for your kind words…they are a balm to my soul. It’s pretty easy to go through a day beating ourselves up. To think that I have been seen as you have described truly encourages me. More than you will ever know Kim. Thank you Jesus!! Big [hugs]!

  7. Angela Amason says

    Thank you for this post and for all the things you say to encourage me in my “difficult and hard” season of life. God Bless You so much!!!

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