STOLEN JOY

I remember the comment I used to hear frequently about 'not letting anyone steal your joy'. It was well intended, usually delivered with love or concern when people who genuinely cared about us became aware of our struggles - especially those struggles that related to another person or persons that it appeared we'd given sway over some aspect of our life. It was comforting somehow to be assured we had someone else to blame for what was ailing us, but the truth is rather than help, it hurt. The truth is, it was terrible advice.

Reality set in for me one day when I realized it is impossible for anyone else to steal MY joy! Even on those occasions when I've tried to leave the door open and tried to force the key into another's hand it was an impossibility. The joy that abides within me - within us - in truth is invader proof. I and I alone am its guardian here on earth because joy is a right I have - you have - which has been given from God; an inalienable right.

What does that mean when we find ourselves unhappy, hurt, discouraged, or confused in our interaction with other people? It means we have not been honest with self. We have not stopped, nor looked, nor listened to our own truths. We have not questioned our own motives, our own expectations, acknowledged our own fears or insecurities that no one outside ourselves has the power to alleviate. We always have our own joy in our own hands. Really we do. But the best knowledge of all is not only is it ours to keep, our own joy is renewed and ready and waiting to keep us whole each and every new day. No one can steal it! That's a promise:

Psalms 30:5

Weeping may endure for a night,
but JOY comes in the morning.

Tags: encouragement, faith, honesty, joy, love, ownership, peace, self determination