Turn the Battle With Joy

In Isaiah 28:6 God gives a promise that he will give strength to those who turn the battle at the gate. 

I believe this battle happens in our minds and the gate is our imagination. The mind and imagination is where we get attacked and begin to envision worst case scenarios or build stories in our heads that are not true. 

The mind is where we turn the battle. 

God promised to give strength to those who turn the battle and Nehemiah 8:10 says that the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Joy gives us the strength to turn the battle in our minds. I like to think of joy as my emotional indicator letting me know when I am focused on the things of heaven where we are seated with Christ at God's right hand ( Ephesians 2:6) 

Psalm 16:11 says in God's presence there is fullness of joy. 

Here is a summary... 

God gives strength to turn the battle in our minds and imaginations. This strength comes from the joy of the Lord, and joy comes from the presence of God, which is available all the time by setting our minds on his presence, because he is always with us.