SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1038

 “Stolen Joy”

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

Are you afraid to be too happy?

Have you ever experienced a time in your life when things were going right? All was well with the world and yet you felt anxiousness and worry because you were waiting for the rug to be pulled out from under you. You were waiting for the other shoe to drop as they say. This is an attack of the enemy attempting to steal your joy.

Know this: God is not in the rug pulling, shoe dropping business. As a child of God, born-again believer in Jesus Christ, we have experienced the unfathomable depth of the love that God has for us in that Christ died for us while we were yet steeped in sin. …but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Given such a demonstration of His love for us how can we doubt that He will provide all that we need in this life? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

…No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11)

… Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:25-33)

The blessing of the Lord enriches and He adds no trouble to it (Proverbs 10:22)

The hook in our flesh that the enemy tugs on to steal our joy is provided by us when we turn our hearts away from God and begin to covet the material possessions of this world. …If riches increase set not your hearts on them. (Psalm 62:10)

Trials and difficult times will come in this life. The child of God weathers these storms by trusting in His Word and in His love. Speak the Truth of His Word and the enemy will flee and you will know the joy of the Lord in all circumstances and situations. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, (James 1:2)

Don’t be afraid to be too happy. Immerse yourself in the Word of God and remain in His abiding presence and you will know the fullness of His Joy. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)