Joy Of The Lord

I’ve struggled with these demons myself for long. I’ve spent many nights crying out to the Lord seeking a sense of fulfillment. On the outside, everything seemed perfect. I had the best job in the world, I was earning well, I had the perfect wife, the perfect daughter, the perfect family, and our own home. God had provided all we needed and I had no financial pressure either. People liked me and enjoyed my company too. But when I was all alone by myself, I often struggled to find fulfillment. I had this nagging baggage that always had me feeling inadequate. It was almost like, I constantly hungered for “acknowledgement”. Those were hard times, but by the grace of God, I somehow always managed to consistently run to Him to express my sorrows. I looked to Him for comfort and not to family or friends. With time, God has lovingly and patiently made me realize that all I need to do is live for an audience of ONE. I need not please anyone, except ONE. I only needed to have a clear conscience before ONE. His name is Jesus.

I am deeply grateful to Him for His grace in giving me the sense to turn to Him and His Word during my darkest moments.

If you are going through a dark valley, let me encourage you. It is natural to feel weak, discouraged, or even numb. But God reminds us through Nehemiah that our strength doesn’t come from our circumstances—it comes from His joy.

What is the Joy of the Lord?

The joy of the Lord is not about having a smile on your face 24/7 or pretending everything is okay. It is a deep, steady assurance that no matter what’s happening around us, God is in control, He loves us, and He is working all things for our good.

It’s that inner gladness that bubbles up not because of how easy life is, but because of who God is. And that joy becomes our strength when everything else feels like it’s crumbling.

Every time I have run to Him during my darkest moments, I have always returned refreshed, renewed, and peaceful.

The Battery Pack

Imagine a hiker lost in the wilderness, far from home, cold and hungry. But tucked inside their backpack is a solar-powered battery pack. It doesn’t change the terrain, it doesn’t stop the rain, it doesn’t make him warm or satisfy his hunger—but it keeps their phone charged so they can navigate, stay connected, and find hope for rescue.

The joy of the Lord is like that battery pack. It doesn’t always change our external situation immediately, but it fuels our soul, giving us hope, direction, and power to keep moving forward.

Joy in the Middle of the Battle

Consider someone struggling to break free from addiction. The days are long and the temptations are strong. But instead of giving up, they celebrate each small victory—one clean day at a time. Each milestone becomes a reminder that God is with them, that they are not fighting alone. That little moment of joy—a text from a friend, a Bible verse that hits home, a prayer that brings peace—is not small. It is God’s strength showing up in their weakness.

Or take someone who’s been battling loneliness for years. Every step they take to engage in community, to open up, to show up at church, or reach out for help—those are courageous acts. And each act should be celebrated. Those are victories worth rejoicing over. Why? Because each one is evidence of God at work, and where God is, His joy is.

Celebrate Your Progress

In Nehemiah 8, when the people wept after hearing God’s law read aloud, Nehemiah didn’t say, “Cry harder.” He said, “Celebrate!” God was doing something new. They weren’t perfect, but they were turning back to God—and that was worth rejoicing over.

Sometimes we overlook the small steps we’ve taken because we haven’t “arrived” yet. But celebrating those steps helps us stay motivated and focused on the bigger picture. Joy is fuel. And it reminds us that we’re not alone, and we’re not failing—we’re growing.

It is important that you celebrate every small victory on your journey. These celebrations keep your motivated and keeps you focused. Remember, you only need to live to please ONE person- Jesus. And He is the most kindest, gracious, and loving person you will ever need.

Don’t Compare – Run Your Race

One of the fastest ways to lose your joy is by comparing your progress with someone else’s. Maybe someone else seems stronger in faith, more successful, or more put together. But they aren’t living your life. God has given you a unique race to run. Your challenges, your growth, your victories—they’re personal and precious to God.

Think of it like this: in a marathon, some finish in 2 hours, others in 6. But finishing your race is what matters—not how long it took, or how fast others were. Heaven rejoices over your faithfulness, not your speed.

If you’re feeling tired, if the battle feels long, or if joy feels like a distant memory—remember this: the joy of the Lord is not something you need to create; it’s something you can receive. Freely! Just go to Him in prayer. Pour your heart out to Him. Let Him know exactly what you are going through and how you feel. During your darkest moments, He is the only one you need to run to, not run away from. His joy is available, steady, and strong. Let His joy lift you up when you fall, fuel you when you’re weary, and anchor you when you feel lost.

Celebrate every little win. Let go of comparison. And walk forward—knowing His joy is your strength, every step of the way.

If you are not a consistent Bible reader, then start off with a simple Bible Study Plan. Get into the habit of studying the bible daily. It is God’s Word. His Word is THE solution to all issues pertaining to life. And it is counterproductive for you to run away from the only place where you can find solutions to your problems. His joy is also found only in His Word.