Ain't Nobody Gonna Steal My Joy Series

AIN’T NOBODY GONNA STEAL MY JOY

By: C. Mason Davis

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. The plaque was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it. The seven-year-old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside him, and said quietly, “Good morning, Alex.” Good morning, Pastor,” replied the young man, still focused on the plaque. “Pastor McGhee, what is this?” Alex asked. “Well, son, it’s a memorial to all the men and women who have died in the service.” Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque. Little Alex’s voice was barely audible when he finally managed to ask, “Which service, the 9:00 or 10:30 service?”

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

James 1: 2-3; “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

Have you ever had a time in your life when you were happy, even if not all in your life was good or favorable? Right now, as you sit there listening to me, think about those times when you felt like everything was going to be okay no matter what you were going through. Think about times where you were happy and nothing bad or negative seemed to be going on in your life. It felt like a great life when you have no worries or stresses in your life that keep you from being happy, positive, and motivated to spread your happiness.

Ask yourself these questions and put some deep thought into the responses to these questions. What makes you happy? What makes you unhappy? Who makes you happy? Who makes you unhappy? What causes you to worry and gives you stress? Who are the people in your life that seem to steal your joy? Are you keeping a positive attitude even when there is negativity all around you? One of the most important questions to ask yourself is, “What would Jesus do?” Are you living the life, walking the walk, and talking the talk in your life that would make Jesus proud? If not, what can you do to change? What can you do to be better, to think better, and feel better? Remember that life will give us lemons and it’s up to us, not other’s, to make lemonade out of those lemons. Something always tries to pull you down. Traffic, pain, robocalls, bills, tv, news, and somebody can bother you to the point that you lose yourself. We just need to choose to live in the way the Lord has made for us. We need to draw that line in the sand and tell ourselves not to allow anyone to steal our joy.

Today is a day that the Lord has made. Don't let anything that is happening in your life steal your joy. The more you thank God for what He has already done, the more God will change your life. The Holy Bible says in Nehemiah 8:10: " Then he said unto them, go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength." The Bible says that God gives us joy and peace. It’s there for everyone, but everyone has to make the decision to put to use this joy and peace. This is a gift from God and costs you nothing. Don’t put it in your pocket and pull it out only when it’s convenient. Don’t keep this gift on a shelf like you would a picture or a vase. Keep this gift in your heart, your mind, and your soul so you keep your joy at all times, no matter what or who tries to steal that joy from you. One of the most dynamic ways to keep our joy is to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in the way we should go. Proverbs 16:9 says: “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps..” One of the hardest things in the world for people is to walk away from something they’ve done for a long time. If we do the same thing the same way too long, it becomes old and stale, and it means nothing. However, the Holy Spirit will lead us to change something on purpose to make us pay attention to Him. Don’t keep doing things the same way if you’re no longer joyful when you do them. You will lose your joy if you’re not willing to expand your horizons.

I wonder if you’re doing like I did by letting insignificant things such as your grouchy boss, the person talking behind your back, a child getting on your nerves, steal your joy. Life is going to throw you curves. There will be disappointments and things that aren’t fair. Make this decision every morning, “I will be joyful today." When you’re tempted to get upset, remind yourself that you have the power to remain calm. Keep your joy. This day is a gift. Honor God by living it with a grateful heart and to the fullest.