Don’t Allow Your Circumstances to Steal Your Joy

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Every now and then, I find myself in not so ideal circumstances. Sometimes by my own creation and sometimes not. Either way, I always look to God to bail me out. What I’ve learned from this last circumstance is to look at the big picture. As I began to critique my own actions pondering the steps that landed me where I was, I thought about my old standby. One of my favorite scriptures, Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. All things means just that, all things. It doesn’t mean just the good things. It doesn’t mean the things that are so, so, where no one profits, and no one gets hurt. It means all things.

But let’s take a step back. Before my epiphany, I felt the pity party trying to start. All the usual guests started showing up. Guilt, sorrow, disgust, anger, and oh yes, regret. What kind of pity party would it be without regret? Would’ve, should’ve and could’ve showed up. You know they always travel together. But then someone else showed up just as I was closing the door getting ready to start the party. It was Mercy. Mercy quickly walked in and evicted the other guests, saying there’s no pity party here. Not while I’m here. I immediately grabbed Mercy by the hand, thankful for the reminder. Instead of playing songs of sorrow I began to play songs of worship to the God that already knew I would be right where I was at that time. And just as Mercy reminded me, God began to give me that peace that surpasses all understanding.

When I look at the big picture, the reason for the circumstance was also coupled with many blessings that I could never have imagined. I was right where I believe God wanted me to be for the blessings to occur, and I will even go as far as to say for miracles to occur.

Things don’t always go as planned even when there is a blessing tied to them, but what I don’t think we always consider is that God is always in control. The best example I can think of is Jacob. Jacob connived his way into getting his brothers blessing. He was duped by his future father-in-law. He feared retaliation from his brother. What Jacob did not know, was that it was Gods will all along for him to receive His blessing.

When we fall into those not so ideal circumstances, the thief is standing right there to pounce. His job, that he does oh so well, is to steal, to kill and destroy. He robs us of our peace, our sleep, our health. He can, when he is working his hardest, and we do not have the strength to put on our armor, even rob us of our life. His tactics may cause us to lose relationships; material things such as houses and cars. How does he do this? It’s simple. When you go into a battle you must be prepared. You can’t start preparing after the battle. You are sure to lose. Have you ever watched how a prize fighter prepares for a fight?  The fighter will change their diet; their exercise routine, they prepare their weapons, their body and their mind. We must do the same. We must prepare.

What are our weapons? We read in 2Corinthians 10:4 -5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

We are also admonished in Ephesians 6:11put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil and in verse 17, and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Take the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. In other words, the way to prepare for battle is to arm yourself. Read the word of God. Study the word, meditate on it day and night. When you read, study; meditate on the word it becomes a part of you. It becomes the helmet of salvation enabling you to cast down imaginations.

Let’s pause right here. How many of you know when those not so ideal circumstances come, your mind begins to imagine the worst-case scenario? You begin to have those thoughts that are contrary to the word of God. You forget about Gods promises. Fear enters in. The enemy has his foot in the door. All he wants is your mind.

Think about it.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, Ephesians 6:12. Our battle is against an enemy we can’t even see. But guess what? The battle was won over 2000 years ago on Calvary’s cross. It’s up to us to maintain our stance. It’s up to us to stand our ground. Isaiah 59:19(b) When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. Your word filled mind coupled with the Holy Spirit reminding you of what God has told you, as well as what Jesus did on the cross is all you need to conquer the enemy.

It’s always better to be proactive than reactive. Too often we wait until those not so ideal circumstances arrive before we put on our armor. Imagine those fiery darts coming at your head and your helmet of salvation along with your sword of the spirit are on your beside table, or in your car. You’re defenseless.

One of the great things about our God is that He is always there. He always hears our cries. Even when we haven’t prepared for the battle and the enemy is trying his best to topple us over. When we cry out to God, as I stated previously our God will lift up a standard against the enemy. We may suffer a couple of bumps and bruises since we entered the battle without our armor, but we will survive.

When the enemy tries to steal your joy, it’s up to you to stop him. God inhabits the praises of His people. Change your song. Instead of singing woe is me. Begin to worship the Lord. Sing praises to His name. When you are worshipping God, your mind cannot think about your circumstances. You will be consumed with the love of God. Don’t allow the enemy is any form to steal what is rightfully yours. Proclaim your victory.