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In Nehemiah 8, we find the people of God celebrating and praising God with the completion of the wall in Jerusalem. However, when the priests read the Law, they became convicted of the sin that had resulted in their captivity, and their joy quickly turned into despair as doubt and fear crept in. In a similar way, we can allow insecurities, cynicism, worry, and anxiety to turn blessings into burdens and rob us of our joy. What if I’m not good enough? What if I’m not ready? How am I going to do this? What will others think?

As followers of Christ, our joy does not depend on us or someone else. Nor is it dependent upon or deflated by our circumstances. Just as Nehemiah told the people of God, the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). No matter what may be going on in our lives, we can claim joy and know that God is still at work.