Where did the joy go? Thieves of Joy.
God's people are to be a joyful people. What happened? Where did we go wrong? What can we do about it?
Did you know that joy is something you choose?
Actually I know we can choose it because the Lord commanded it. He told us to rejoice.
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4.
Twice in one verse we are told to rejoice. What does that word rejoice mean? It means to be in a “state of happiness and well being. Be glad.” Now imagine that. We are told to rejoice. He says now I command you to be in a state of happiness and well being.
There is a key to rejoicing in the verse that we will look at in a few paragraphs but for now just grab hold of this. We are to rejoice. Commanded to rejoice. We are to rejoice all the time. That means in every circumstance no matter what is happening to us or around us. Notice the following verse.
Rejoice evermore. 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Now Paul throws in the word “evermore.” What in the world? Can’t I ever have a bad day or at least a bad minute. I have a missionary friend who seems to always be happy and in a good mood. He resembles this verse if you know what I mean.
One day I asked him if he ever had a bad day in front of a room full of people. He said
“I had a bad day once and I didn’t like it. I decided I wasn’t going to do it again.”
So for the rest of us I just did a study of the word evermore hoping to get us an escape clause but to no avail. This is what the word means in the Greek, are you ready for it, it means “always, at all times!”
So evidently i can have joy and be happy every day all the time if i want to.
The fruit of the Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22–23.
Guess what the Holy Spirit produces in us as a fruit of Him living in us, joy. Let me give you five ways you might understand how He does that.
The Holy Spirit gives the believer inner peace and contentment because He reminds us that we are children of God.
The Holy Spirit give us joy as He shows us truth in the Scripture and guides our lives.
The Holy Spirit even helps us pray when we do not know what to pray or how.
The Holy Spirit reminds us of the promises of God and helps us anticipate the fulfillment of God’s promises.
The Holy Spirit helps grow us into spiritual maturity.
So what are the thieves of our joy?
I think the list could be very long but let me give you some representative thieves that will help you see what is happening.
Comparison instead of contentment.
We look at what God has given us and compare it to what others have. Instead of saying thank you we feel gypped. We gripe and complain. Comparing is never wise or right.
Un-forgiveness instead of forgiveness
God’s people are forgiven. We are taught to forgive others exactly the same way that Christ has forgiven us. When we hold on to bitterness things get ugly, our bitterness springs up and contaminates all around us. Holding on to grudges, past hurts and resentments bring dark clouds into our life and steal our joy.
Griping instead of gratitude
Too often we have not learned to be content with what the Lord gives us and so block the joy. We can’t be grateful because we see what we lack not what we have. We gripe because we feel like we deserve more.
We fail to appreciate the little things and so life robs you of your joy and sense of abundance.
Doubt thinking instead of faith thinking
The fear of making mistakes or not measuring up can rob us of our happiness. We see circumstances and challenges instead of our great God. Get into the Bible and let God fill you with faith instead of fear.
Speaking lies to yourself instead of truth
You are loved by your Father. You are the apple of His eye. He has promised no condemnation and no separation. When you talk to yourself what are you saying?
How would you as a a dad or mom feel to listen to your children thinking that they were trash, worthless, unloved and unwanted. It would break your heart becuase it is the opposite of the truth. Just remember God listens to your self talk.
Do you say things like, I am not worthy, no one syould love me. Do you look at your weakness and talk about them.
These negative trash talk, always putting yourselves down and focusing on our weaknesses can drain our joy. Start telling yourself what the Father says about you.
Source of our Joy
The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in him, and I am helped: Therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; And with my song will I praise him. Psalm 28:7.
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. Psalm 17:15.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: But a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22.
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11.
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 1 Peter 1:8.
Our joy is found in the Lord not our circumstances. You will never find joy if you focus on you.