LET NOTHING STEAL YOUR JOY
I left home that morning in very high spirit. I walked to the ministry office praying and singing. I was singing with joy. It rained the previous evening. It was a really cool morning.
When I got to the office and I opened the door, the song in my mouth vanished. The entire office was flooded. I was momentarily down. Thoughts began to rush- “Why are you even in Eruwa?” “A whole lawyer! Is this what you will be doing with your degree?” “Do you see that is why others are leaving and not staying for long working with you” (the two ministry volunteers just left town. I was the only one in the office).
But then humorously, I told myself, “Jesus walked on water. Temi, this is your opportunity to walk in water”. I remembered a statement from a training that season, “I am not sad because things are bad. Things are bad because I am sad”.
Everything turned at that moment. The devil will not have me. I began to sing again. I sat in the middle of the flood and sang for a while. When I was done, I had strength. I called those who could help. We salvaged the situation.
Beloved, do not let the devil use a situation to build a web of strange thoughts in your heart because of an isolated incident. He is the master in linking unrelated matters to build an image of hopelessness. You must not agree with the image he is bringing into your space. Refuse it! Reject it.
I have seen situations where a spouse made a simple statement and before you know it, you begin to hear strange narratives that were never spoken or intended. If you permit, the devil will drag you into the abyss of despair. You will begin to ask yourself, “How did I get here?”
If you have been feeding yourself with songs and teachings that sponsor mood swings, once you get into a crisis, you will sink deeper. Listen, the person or things you give your ears to are very important. Who has your ears? What are you being loaded with?
When physical things begin to go wrong around you, kindly note that the aim of the devil is not the physical things, it is always spiritual things he wants to deny you of. For instance, if you lose your job, it is not about your job. The devil is after your joy. Joy is more expensive. Joy can get you another job. Joy can turn you into a full-time soul winner while waiting for a job.
When the devil steals your job, do not let him proceed to steal your joy. That would be a greater loss. If you are trusting God for a child, kindly keep rejoicing over your spouse. Do not lose your joy because of what you are waiting for. Enjoy yourselves to the fullest.
Things do not fail until joy has failed:
The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, *even all* the trees of the field, *are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men*.
Joel 1:12 KJV
Fight for your joy.
Stay in joy.
This season, do not feed yourself with negative news. Hold on to the profession of your faith. Build a canopy of God’s Word over your heart.
You are blessed!