I’d left the ministry and moved three states away, with a marriage unraveling. It was my second job in four months. Being the consummate over-explainer, I shared my troubles with my new boss. When I showed up for work the next morning, I was no longer on the schedule.
It was like someone pressed the pause button on my life. I stood there frozen, staring at a piece of paper on the wall—without my name on it.
🙏“Lord, what now?”
My prayer was immediately answered with a deep sense of calm, and the assurance that my life was still in God’s capable hands. Despite the circumstances, I was able to work my entire shift—like it was any other day. The boss called me into her office at closing time, marveling at the poise with which I had faced uncertainty. I told her it was the Joy of the Lord. She put me back on the schedule.
Can you relate? You’ve stood before, back to the wall, with limited options. But rather than running away, you stayed put, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Are you there again—right now?
As Nehemiah assured his people, who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10b
At such times, we can choose the joy of the Lord but can’t produce it. This brand of eternal confidence comes only from God. It’s a fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)
A high-ranking U.S. Army person agrees:
Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.
General Colin Powell
King David, of ancient Israel agrees:
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fulness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)
Many other heroes of the Bible agree and put this advice into action, discovering that the joy of the Lord is a good escape plan. (Think Paul and Silas singing in prison).
Likewise, believers empowered by the Holy Spirit, can face whatever God has for them with complete confidence.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
During this Christmas season may we choose joy, just like the shepherds out in the fields on the night of Christ’s birth, scared half to death by a visiting angel.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:10 (NIV)
Davids Daily Dose 
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