The Stability of Our Joy
A Robber of Joy – Part II

Scripture Reading: John 16:20-24

Key Verse: John 16:22
“… then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.”

I believe that no one can steal our joy from us. Unfortunately, we can give our joy away!

When we let our minds run freely thinking about the worst-case scenarios of the troubles we are facing, we give away our joy.

The good news is that Jesus gives us the solution. We can control our “stinkin’ thinkin’”. Look at Jesus’s words, reported by John 16:33:

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart because I have overcome the world.”

Notice how Jesus says that last sentence: “take heart”. He is telling us to take some action, and that we are not victims when it comes to what we think about. We can control what we think about, even if we cannot stop thoughts popping up in our minds.

Just because a thought crosses our minds, it does not mean we have to meditate on it. Here is what my mother used to say: “We can’t keep birds from flying over our heads, but we can stop them from building a nest in our hair”.

The Apostle Paul said it this way:

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Are you taking captive every thought or are your thoughts taking you captive? When you realize that you are having thoughts that are stealing your joy, think of a Bible verse to recite to yourself.

If you have not memorized a Bible verse that replaces those negative thoughts, take a moment right now to write down Romans 8:28 and determine to memorize it. Telling yourself not to think about something will only lead you to think about it more. Learn to replace those thoughts with truth from God’s Word!

Father, please remind me to replace scary thoughts with your Words of comfort! In Jesus Name I pray, amen.