Don’t lose your JOY

We live in an unhappy world. Everyday there are things and host of situations that turn to rob us of our joy. It may be the loss of a loved one, it may be the loss of a job, it could be the break-up of a relationship, it could be pressures at work, it could be a problem in the family, it could be current economic realities, it could be people who don’t do what they say they will do, and it could be concern about the future.

All you need to do to fall into deep depression is to put on the TV. Happenings around the world are enough to make you sick.

Our joyless state has produced a joyless society. We have joyless homes, joyless marriages, joyless jobs, joyless relationships and more. If there is something we desperately need to get back as a people it is the joy of the Lord in our hearts.

One of the hardest things in life is to rejoice in the time of trouble, however being joyful in the time of trouble is one skill we all must learn if we want to live in total victory. WE NEED TO BE A PEOPLE WHO WILL LOOK AT REALITY IN THE FACE AND STILL STAY JOYFUL.

It is easy to be joyful when the circumstance is convenient but what happens when the circumstance is not convenient? According to the scriptures, no circumstance or person should make us unhappy. The joy of the Lord is not dependent on outward circumstances—it comes straight from the inside.

We are to be joyful in the good times and in the bad times. We are to be joyful on the mountain top and in the valley below. We are to be joyful when we have money in our pockets and when we are empty and broke.

We live in a real world full of ups and downs. One moment you are up, the next moment you are down, confused and discouraged. We sure can’t control all of our circumstances but we can and should rise above negative circumstances and decide that no matter what comes against us we are not going to lose our joy.

One of the things I’ve learned is that I don’t always have to have my way in order to be happy. I got to a point in my life when I had to say I’m done with letting people and circumstances always make me unhappy. Things may not go the way I want but I am not going to lose my JOY.

Let’s not allow people steal our joy. People will always be people; they may do things and make decisions that may irritate us but we can decide to keep a smile on our face and be happy regardless of what other people do to us.

Let’s not allow circumstances kill JOY. Things may not always go according to how we plan but then we must live in the awareness that God is working things out for our good. Scripture says in Rom 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
When we have joy in the midst of trials and test, we put the devil on the run, because the joy of the Lord is our strength! Nehemiah 8:10b. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

So where do we find real joy? The answer in simple! THE LORD GIVES IT. Joy is not a commodity we buy from the market. JOY is a fruit of the spirit and it is found only in the LORD.

If you wake up each morning and don’t find your name in the obituary column, rejoice and be exceedingly glad. You are alive and amongst the living. God has so much in store for you and regardless of what the devil throws at you, do not lose you JOY.

It is God’s will for us to be and stay joyful so let’s be joyful. Don’t lose your JOY!!!

AJust Sharing My Thought
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