Where do we find the strength to handle life? I have been studying through Nehemiah for the last couple of months and am amazed at the life of Nehemiah. He handles all of life with a strength that is rarely seen in the people I know. He is a man who tackles a political situation that is so difficult that most people would have never even started. He leaves Susa and goes back to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of the city. He will face political intrigue, vicious rumors, threaten attacks, assassination attempts, and even political betrayal. Most people would have been heartbroken and deeply hurt.

This is the world in which we all live. The fact is that most people do not have the strength to handle difficult moments. I watch daily and see people who are failing miserly at family, work, relationships, and even among their friends. All you have to do is listen for just a moment and you will hear the frustration and pain in their complaints, criticism, and malicious gossip about others.

So how does Nehemiah handle life? In Nehemiah 8, he tells the people of Jerusalem his secret to being strong. The simple answer to strength - the joy of the Lord is your strength. What? He is strong because of joy? YES!

The key is "joy of the Lord". Nehemiah is a man who has a strong faith in the Lord God. His faith is a critical part of his life. He is a man of prayer and a man who walks daily in his faith. His walk with the Lord has produced within him a simple joy. Nehemiah finds a quiet contentment that comes from knowing that the Lord is faithful. He has come to the realization that what God's Word says is really true. He has seen that God truly is in control of all of life.

All of these truths plus so many more have produced within Nehemiah a "joy about life" that comes from the Lord. When "joy" is real, you will find you have strength to handle any situation in life. You have the power to walk in a good way and to handle the most difficult of people or situations in life.

For those who do not think this is true? Look around at everyone who you know is sad, frustrated, or angry. How strong are they? How well do they handle difficult situations? How well do they control their emotions? How well do they respond to their families through the stresses of life?

I truly believe Nehemiah figured out the secret to life: faith in the Lord which produces a joy within our heart and minds, which leads to strength to handle all of life.

As Nehemiah said, "the joy of the Lord is your strength!"