One of my favorite books in the Bible is Nehemiah. I’m inspired by his tenacity to persevere in the face of discouragement and his resolve to overcome the plethora of obstacles in his path.
Nehemiah 8:10 reads, “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” I can’t begin to count the many times I’ve prayed this snippet for myself and for others. Years ago I realized that while happiness is fleeting, joy can be continual. The secret I’ve found to cultivate joy is connected to gratitude.
I try to make it a practice of giving thanks every day for the blessings that surround me. If I’m wrestling with discouragement, I thank God that He’s in control and I can trust Him. On the days when I’m feeling less than, I thank God that I’m His daughter and nothing can change that. When my heart is full of sorrow, I give thanks that Jesus is close to the brokenhearted.
Even on the darkest days, it’s possible to find joy through cultivating an attitude of gratitude. How do you maintain a joyful heart?💗💗💗

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