Isn’t it amazing how we can get offended within two minutes of waking up? Maybe we stumble over something that was left in the floor? Maybe we walk into the kitchen only to realize we are out of coffee? Or maybe we get annoyed that our significant other is still in bed sleeping peacefully???
When we ALLOW something to offend us, we give our power and strength away.
“…the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
The enemy is after our joy. He strategizes and is sneaky by using the “little things.” The devil has listened to us talk about ourselves, our life and other people our entire life, HE KNOWS WHAT IRRITATES US!
– Our car won’t start
– Our hair won’t fix right
– Someone cuts us off in traffic
– Someone is late for an appointment and we have to wait
– Our spouse wants to advise us on the “best” route to take to our destination
– The kids aren’t doing what we tell them
– The dog left a gift on the floor for us
– And a contract just fell through for an important project
After a list like that, we have TOTALLY LOST OUR JOY (er, given it away), and we have no strength, so we can’t resist the devil. If we can’t resist the devil, he won’t flee.
“…resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
I’d like to encourage you today, don’t let the devil defeat you by stealing your joy.
Remember, that when you have no joy, you have no strength, and that’s when Satan can come in and rob you of everything you have. Satan has no refuge when JOY is present.
Keep smiling no matter what your circumstance; remember nothing takes God by surprise, and THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH! THAT IS WORTH SHOUTING ABOUT!
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