Joy & Strength

⁹And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. ¹⁰Then 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." ¹¹So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved." Nehemiah 8:9-11

Living with someone who is perpetually angry is exhausting. It is draining and emotionally nerve wracking. Having been catapulted, two years ago, into the world of mental health disorders and cognitive delays, I have great compassion for those who live and deal daily their entire lives with these struggles. I have compassion for the families who live with these struggles. And I find great joy and strength daily from God's Word. On days when we are all wiped out from the previous day's angry episodes, we know that we can claim the joy of the Lord is our strength! The passage above speaks to how God can calm our hearts in the midst of these angry storms. We can come to God in quietness, worshiping His Holiness, even in the midst of grieving and loss or raging around us. His joy is our strength today!