What Steals Your Joy?

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As a little girl I can remember singing the song, “I’ve got joy, joy, joy, down in my heart” but what happens when you find it hard to even utter those words, let along express happiness when maybe you just don’t feel it…..There are many things that can cause us to lose joy. Recognizing those things that can rob you of joy is the first step in regaining the happiness you may so desire….

5 Things that Rob You of Joy

  1. Life Situations

  2. Spouse-Children-Boss-Extended Family

  3. Possessions

  4. Anxiety

  5. Bitterness and Unforgiveness

HOW TO REGAIN JOY

1. Life situation and circumstances are either within our control or outside of our control.
Determining which situations are within your control and leaving the rest to God will
free you up to have joy.

2. We have no control over the families we are born into. Accepting people for who they
are and not for what we want them to be will help us see them in a new light. We cannot
change others, we can only change our selves. When we look at others with a servants
heart and strive to serve as opposed to being served, then our disappointment levels
will decrease. Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve.

3. We are not to store our treasures up on earth, where moth and rust will destroy.
However, we often elevate our treasures higher than they need to be. Having things or
not having things can rob us of our joy. Envy in a man’s heart can steal joy.

4. Spending aimless time worrying about something that may or may not happen can
rob you of the joy God intends for your life. Worry can choke the word…..Worry is
sinful. Releasing your worry and anxieties to God, frees you so you can have joy. Cast your cares
on HIM, because he cares for you.

5. Holding on to the past and not forgiving can rob you of time and energy and decrease the
joy you have. God so loved the world that he forgave. To be imitators of Christ, we too,
need to forgive others and no longer be a slave to the bitterness it causes.

What things are stealing your joy?

What action can you take right away to regain your joy?

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