Joy Gems

Author's Note:

Author's Note: I was my parents' live-in caregiver the last years of their lives, until they both died. In the last months of my mother's life, she was growing weaker and needed more and more of my time and attention. Sometimes there was a lot of stress, and I sought the Lord for some perspective and strength. I knew that "the joy of the Lord is our strength" as we read in Nehemiah, so I began a Bible study in my personal devotional time. Using a Bible concordance I hunted for the verses in the Bible with 'joy' in them, and then studied them for lessons that I could apply personally in my life.

An amazing and wonderful thing happened. I began to see many little things for which to praise God and delight in His tender watch-care over both my mother and myself. My spirit lifted up and began to soar!

Furthermore, that under-current of joy is still with me some 14 years later. So I can assure you that you will only benefit and not lose by studying and applying these joy principles.