Is Something Robbing Your Joy?
By Tom Shanklin
All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. (Proverbs 15:15, NKJV).
Is something robbing your joy?
Maybe it’s a broken relationship or a mistake you have made in the past. Or it may be words that have been spoken against you or a financial trauma. But whatever it is, Satan would like to use it to defeat you and rob you of your joy and victory.
The Bible says that “the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) Without joy you will become weak.
It also says, “A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22, NKJV). In other words, your emotional state will affect your health. It will either make you sick or healthy. A broken spirit will have a negative effect, but a merry heart is a good medicine … with no side effects.
It’s time to do something about how you feel inside. You may not be able to change your circumstances, but you can change your attitude.
It’s time to decide to have joy, regardless of what is happening around you.
Problems will come and go, but God’s love is consistent. You don’t have to live in your sorrow and affliction, you can have a continual feast.
Think of it like a Thanksgiving holiday, without the calories. A happy joyful heart is of great value. It changes everything!
When Jesus died on the cross, He opened the door for you to have love, joy, peace, and all the fruits of the Spirit. He procured forgiveness for every sin you ever committed. He gave you acceptance into the family of God and peace with the Father. But you must receive it!
It’s a choice! When you make that choice, you will begin to heal.
Choose to be happy. Choose to forgive yourself. Choose to love those who have wronged you. Choose to believe that God is working on your behalf. Choose to believe that He is able to bring solutions to your problems. Choose to believe the Gospel!
Refuse to live in condemnation! Refuse to live in bitterness! Refuse to let the devil hold you over a barrel. He’s the defeated one. If you belong to Jesus, your future is bright. Heaven is your home.
Today is the day to begin enjoying your continual feast!
Dear Father, I thank you for your love. I believe in what Jesus did for me! I believe I am forgiven and that You live in me by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is my Lord! I live for Him. I refuse to be defeated by my circumstances. I will walk in the joy of the Lord and have a continual feast, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Great blessings!