Joy Killers - The Lack of COURAGE

It is my heartfelt belief that each and every one of us has a purpose for living on this earth.  Psalm 139:16 reads, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”  Clearly, God has a plan for our lives.  Additionally, God doesn’t write boring stories.  If God has planned the days of my life, before one came to be, then it is supposed to be an exciting, joy filled, and meaningful existence.

Over the last couple of days we have been examining the joy killers in our lives.  Today’s joy killer is “The Lack of Courage.”  Between God’s great plan for my life and the realization of that plan stands my need for courage.  The same was true for Joshua and the nation of Israel.  At the beginning of the book of Joshua, the people of Israel stand at the threshold of the Promised Land.  As they get ready to enter in, God has this admonition for them, “Be strong and courageous.”  Not once, but three times in the span of four verse the Lord tells them this.  In verse 6, 7, and 9 they are told to be strong and courageous.

What is your “Promised Land”?  What is that thing that you know God has called you to do that you have not acted upon?  What dream or vision have you failed to pursue because of fear?  Make today the day.  If God has called you to do something, then start the process moving today.  Fear no more!  “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

Joy Killers - The Reality of CONFLICT

Yesterday we began examining those things which tend to kill our joy.  We established that God desires us to have an abundant, full, and overflowing life (John 10:10).  We also examined the fact that so often we miss out on the life that God has called us to.  If there is a life God intends for us to have and we so often miss it, then why?  Well, we miss thanks to the joy killers.  Having looked at the first of these joy killers, “the myth of control,” let us turn our attention to the second joy killer:  The Reality of Conflict.

No one enjoys conflict (well, maybe a few people do).  In order to handle conflict properly, we must recognize what scripture teaches about conflict.  Romans 12:18 tells us, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”  Clearly, as much as we can control, we are to make every effort to live at peace with others.  Sadly, at times conflict comes and there is nothing that we can do about it.  If this occurs, scripture provides some guidance.  Matthew 5:23-24 is speaking specifically about worship but provides a general principle nonetheless, “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go.  First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”  Note that the passage does not say if you have something against someone, it says if someone has something against you, then go be reconciled.

Time and experience will teach you that not all circumstances will work out as you desire.  However, we can do our best to follow the mandates of scripture and then leave the rest to God.  Just remember the call of 1 Peter 5:6-7, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”  Walk humbly, give people the benefit of the doubt, trust the Lord, and rest in Him.  Conflict is sure to come, but it does not have to be a joy killer.

Joy Killers – The Myth of CONTROL

Scripture is very clear in the fact that God intends for us to have an abundant, overflowing, and joy filled life (John 10:10).  The question I struggle with is, “then why is such a life so elusive?”  In considering this, I think there are a number of reasons.  Over the next several days I would like to give these joy killers some consideration.

The first of the joy killers is “The Myth of Control.”  James 4:13-15 instructs us, “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make profit’ – yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.  What is your life?  For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.  Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’”

How many times have we made our plans only to have them shattered?  And when our plans do not work out, how many times have we allowed frustration, discouragement, and even anger to well up within us?  Do we stop to consider that God may be directing our steps?  After all, Proverbs 16:9 tells us, “The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”  When we forget that God is ultimately in control of our life we allow our lack of control to kill our joy.

Make an effort over the next few days to recognize that while you may make your plans, ultimately God is the one who directs what happens in your life.  When our plans are thwarted, we must recognize that God may be up to something.  So, instead of growing frustrated, allow anticipation to grow.  God may be up to something.