A few years ago I made a conscious effort to fight for joy. I’d find myself frustrated or getting grumpy over the dumbest things – my kids leaving things all over the house, the never-ending laundry piles (there really isn’t a day when the laundry is “done” is there?) a snag in my favourite shirt or a food stain on a throw blanket… lots of little things would get under my skin. Then one day a light bulb went off.
How much power was I giving to “things”?
Enough power that in a moment, my mood would begin to change and frustration would start to set in. These “things” were stealing my joy.
The Bible tells us that when we spend time building our spiritual life, and grow closer to the Lord, one of the by-prodcuts that will develop in our lives is joy!
I began to question the depth of my joy if, in a single moment, it could slowly slip away from me. What a perspective shift! I began to say “Don’t let it steal your joy!” anytime I could feel the atmosphere of my heart shifting.
These days, it’s not uncommon for my girls to hear me say, “Don’t let that steal your joy!” when something minor starts to change their mood. Why?
- Joy is precious
- Joy is life-giving
- Joy is an atmosphere changer
- Joy determines our mood
- Joy sets the tone for our response to negativity
So today I’m reminding myself and you, don’t let ______ steal your joy!
You are valuable. You are beautiful. You are loved.
xox,
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