Ain't Nobody Gonna Steal My Joy

AIN’T NOBODY GONNA STEAL MY JOY

By: C. Mason Davis

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. The plaque was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it. The seven-year-old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside him, and said quietly, “Good morning, Alex.” Good morning, Pastor,” replied the young man, still focused on the plaque. “Pastor McGhee, what is this?” Alex asked. “Well, son, it’s a memorial to all the men and women who have died in the service.” Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque. Little Alex’s voice was barely audible when he finally managed to ask, “Which service, the 9:00 or 10:30 service?”

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

James 1: 2-3; “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

Ask yourself these questions and put some deep thought into the responses to these questions. What makes you happy? What makes you unhappy? Who makes you happy? Who makes you unhappy? What causes you to worry and gives you stress? Who are the people in your life that seem to steal your joy? Are you keeping a positive attitude even when there is negativity all around you? One of the most important questions to ask yourself is, “What would Jesus do?” Are you living the life talk as you learn to speak Jesus? If not, what can you do to change? Remember that life will give us lemons and it’s up to us, not other’s, to make lemonade out of those lemons. We to choose to live in the way the Lord has made for us. We need to draw that line in the sand and tell ourselves not to allow anyone to steal our joy.

Today is a day that the Lord has made. Don't let anything that is happening in your life steal your joy. The more you thank God for what He has already done, the more God will change your life. The Bible says in Nehemiah 8:10: " Then he said unto them, go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength." The Bible says that God gives us joy and peace. It’s there for everyone, but everyone has to make the decision to put to use this joy and peace. This is a gift from God and costs you nothing. A dynamic way to keep our joy is to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in the way we should go. Proverbs 16:9 says: “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps..”

Negative people love to spread hate. They love to make you agree with their hate and believe in their hate. They want you to be just as hateful and negative as they are. They are a sad bunch of people. Non-believers. Not believing that there is any good in this world or in their lives. A label has been put on them and today they’re now called, “Haters.” Haters hate to be alone. Haters disguise themselves in many ways. Most Haters will try to steal your joy because they have none. Some Haters are good people who are hurting. Don’t fight your haters’ hate with anger. This fuels toxic people. Respond with love instead. Empathize with their anger. Give them compliments. If you’re living a good life, dealing with haters is inevitable. This is out of your control. Happy and joyful people are like magnets to haters. Haters constantly seek out happy and joyful people so they can fill you with the bile that is their agenda. It’s their way. It’s who they’ve become. Haters feel that you’re not allowed to be happy and joyful because they aren’t. Don’t allow negative people to steal your joy. When you lose your joy, you lose your strength.

Do any of you remember singing this song when you were kids, for your kids, or with your grandkids?

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy;

down in my heart;

down in my heart;

down in my heart;

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy;

down in my heart;

down in my heart to stay.

How long has it been since you’ve thought about that song? Sing of hum that song anytime you feel anything less than joy. Zephaniah 3:17, “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”