Joy is one of those things that we usually think of for very special events. Someone gets married, or has a baby. The Bible tells us that "the joy of the Lord is our strength." Nehemiah 8:10 We can have joy more than every so often because we are the redeemed of the Lord. Just remembering that the Lord God Almighty is our everything can keep joy very close.

I too often get off course when I allow some little nuisance to grab my joy. We need to guard it so that it doesn't run off on us. My biggest problem is when a nuisance comes from behind, and I'm caught off guard. It could be when my son tells me he has to do an extra semester of college because he lost credits along the way. How about when my daughter informs me that she is not coming home for the summer because her NY job fell through. Oh well, I'm not supposed to get my joy from other people.
So why do I allow their circumstances to change my emotions?

I guess we will have to settle for:"I am a work in progress." I am finding my joy a lot quicker these days. It doesn't take off quite as fast as it used to. I have weathered through a lot of life's storms, and found that it is much easier to hold on tight to the joy that the Lord gives. He is ever so faithful in every circumstance to win me over with His love.