Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Who's Stealing Your Joy?

This post may be a little uncomfortable for some people.  I'm not perfect in this area either, but I feel like it's something I have to share.  I'm wondering why so many Christians are so negative.  Believe me, I know things are hard.  So many people are dealing with sickness, financial worries or family problems.  If we keep our focus on these things, we are sure to be negative.  But this shouldn't be our focus.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
Colossians 3:1-2

This doesn't mean that we just ignore our situations and pretend like they don't exist.  Not at all!  But our circumstances should not determine our happiness and joy.  We can take all our burdens to God and leave them there; let Him carry them.  Keep your eyes fixed on God.  He loves you so much that He sent His only Son to die for you.  Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father interceding for you.  He sent His Spirit to be our Comforter and Guide.  His grace is sufficient and His mercies are new every morning; great is His faithfulness!  We can boldly enter into the throne room of the Creator of the universe.  This should give you joy!

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  John 15:11

In these last days we need to be even more aware that we have an enemy who wants to see us defeated.  John 10:10 says that the thief comes to steal (our joy), kill and destroy.  But Jesus has come so that we may have life! 

So go to the enemy's camp and take back what's he stolen from you.  He's under your feet.  Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.  Ask God to restore the joy of your salvation and create a new heart in you.  Then shout for joy to the Lord!


I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart to stay!



5 comments:

  1. Great reminder, Lisa. The joy of the Lord is our strength! Our circumstances no longer have to dictate the joy in our life.

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  2. My circumstances may not have changed but my attitude has. I will praise God while I wait for answers. I will praise God in the storm. I will praise Him...period.

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  3. Hi LIsa - AMEN AND AMEN. Great reminder to stand firm and be joyful. We know how the story ends.
    God bless
    Tracy

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  4. I totally get what you're saying and I agree. That said, even King David suffered from depression and had his pity parties. I think it's ok to whine and moan- for five or ten minutes. This life is hard and Satan is the ruler of the earth. It is our responsibility not to stay sad and negative though. Choosing to praise God in the midst of the pain is the best defense against sadness.

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  5. Girl, you took the words right out of my mouth! I am so discouraged by the attitudes of 'God's people' sometimes I could scream! I agree with you, times are hard, lives are tough...it's earth, it's corrupt, evil...that's just how it is. But we have the answer- we have Jesus, the hope of tomorrow! This life is temporary--this is our chance to live out what we believe!

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