Speaker: Sis. Techie Rodriguez ,Elder, The Lord's Flock Catholic Charismatic Community

“ Resisting The Joy Stealers”

Joy – A Fruit of the Spirit

J oy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22 ). It comes from the Lord. It gives us strength. Its voice is laughter.

The Joy Stealers

J oy is within us. However it can be stolen from us. The three common joy stealers that the devil sets up against us are the following:

1. F ear – Fear is a feeling of dreadfulness and uneasiness over danger, evil, or pain. Fear magnifies the problem. It endangers joy as a fruit of the Spirit. Joy in the Lord should always remain within us. We should not let fear steal it away.

2. W orry – Worry is excessive anxiety about something that may or may not occur. Worry steals our joy. Every time we worry, our joy fades little by little. Worry leads to fear, then doubt, then hopelessness, and finally depression. Like fear, worry is dangerous to our joy.

3. S tress – Stress is intense strain over a situation that we can no longer change or control. It may be mental or physical tension or strain. When we are too tired, we become hot-tempered. Stress makes us lose all the joy within us. It can cause serious health damage and even complete physical, mental, and spiritual collapse.

F or construction materials, there are maximum allowable stresses. The maximum loads are not exceeded in order not to endanger the safety of the structure.

F or human beings, there are also limits created by God. Some people can bear the pressure of trials and temptations better than others. Some are up to a particular breaking paint; they cannot take anything beyond this critical point.

W hen we face trials, let us remember that they are not meant to take away our joy. In fact, we should rejoice. “Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3).

S ometimes, there are people who push us to situations that seem beyond what we can bear. We should not worry. God knows our limitations and has promised: “No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

L et us face our trials courageously. Let us not murmur or grumble that we cannot handle them. God knows our “load limits”. He knows everything happening to us. He is in full control. He is very faithful. We claim that with God's grace, we are victorious always.

W hen we have burdens in life, let us come to the Lord. “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). Such burdens should not steal our joy in the Lord.

W hen we have a cross to carry, let us faithfully bear the load. The Lord is always there to help us carry our cross. Let us draw strength from God. He will not let our cross fall. Our joy in the Lord cannot be stolen by the enemy.

How To Resist the Joy Stealers

T he joy stealers will be hurled all the time in front of us by the devil. We should resist them and safeguard the joy within us. How?

1. H ave Confidence in the Lord.

G od wants us to reflect Christ who is the light of the world. (John 8:12). He wants us to be the light and the salt of the world. (Matthew 5:13-14). When we are reflectors of Christ, we dispel darkness and we see our surroundings. When we serve as salt and are mixed with other people, we give taste and preserve unity, peace and love.

L et us trust in the Lord so that we can meet our Christian responsibilities in the world. Let us have confidence in God so that we can be the light and the salt of the world. Let us be faithful in order that our charismatic joy in the Lord can be shared in our decaying and corrupt society.

C onfidence in the Lord will help us keep our joy. We have hope knowing that God is in full control. We are not afraid as fear is but a natural feeling. We can turn this natural fear into fear of God. Those who fear the Lord are blessed. (Sirach 1:11).

I f we have confidence in the Lord, we know that He is in control. Let us not be afraid. Whatever causes fear, worry, and stress cannot keep God from doing what is best for us. “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

L et us resist the joy stealers by renewing our confidence in God each morning. When we do so, then we can relax and enjoy the rest of the day. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.” (Psalms 118:24).

2. H ave a Grateful Heart!

“N ext they despised the beautiful land; they did not believe the promise. In their tents they complained; they did not obey the Lord.” (Psalms 106:24-25).

A s written in the Book of Numbers, the people of Israel became a nation of complainers. They were not content with what God provided them. They even spoke against God and rebelled against Moses.

I n our present time, there are also some people who always complain. They are never satisfied. They do not trust the Lord. They are not thankful to God for all the graces and blessings they receive.

T he only solution for us in order not to complain is to be genuinely grateful to the Lord.

“I n all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

“F ather, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me.” (John 11:41-42). This is Jesus' very powerful prayer before He commanded Lazarus to rise. He thanked his Father with great confidence even before the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead.

“E nter the temple gates with praise, its courts with thanksgiving.” (Psalms 100:4).

L et us thank the Lord in our prayers. We thank God for our work, for the money that we need, for everything. The Lord cannot resist us when we thank him. We are full of joy when the Lord gives us what we asked for. We are grateful and full of thanksgiving. No chance for the joy stealers to rob us our joy in the Lord!

3. D ismiss All Your Anxieties!

W hen we pray, we should remove all our anxieties. We pray with thanksgiving and entrust everything to the Father.

“T rust in the Lord with all your heart, on your intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

“H ave no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” (Philippians 4:6).

“C ast all your worries upon him because he cares for you .” (1 Peter 5:7).

4. O bey!

L et us resist the joy stealers by obeying now, not tomorrow or later. When we respond to God's command by claiming “we are busy!” or “we will do it later”, we are losing opportunities. Let us remember that time is important; moreover, our time on earth is very limited. Delayed obedience is just a step away from disobedience.

W hen we are disobedient and even when we merely delay our obedience, our joy is already stolen by the enemy. Let us resist the equally dreadful joy stealer: disobedience.

5. P raise the Lord!

T he three companions of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were cast into a white-hot furnace after they refused to worship the golden statue which King Nebuchadnezzar set up in Babylon . They trusted the Lord, singing to God, and blessing the Lord. They came out of the furnace unhurt. (Daniel 3). Truly, God delivers those who trust and praise him.

L et us praise the Lord. There is always joy praising God. We are full of joy because the Lord is with us. We rejoice not only when everything is alright but even when “the going is rough.” “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). During our trials, it is not our physical strength being tested; it is our faith in the Almighty God.

O ur natural response to difficulties during trials is sadness; but with God's grace, we rejoice even while under tests and eventually emerge triumphant with joy in the Lord.