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Subject: Overcoming Joy Snatchers
Date: October 4, 2001
Related Article: More To Life
It’s a near-perfect day! What could possibly taint your perspective as the sun is shining both in your heart and in the world? But suddenly, a phone-call, a letter, or even a comment sends your sunny disposition into a spiral and you are left feeling downcast, defeated and wondering what truly took place. Please join us as about techniques on dealing with the joy snatchers who threaten to upset our perspective.
- What bring pure joy to your life?
- How would you describe joy?
- Describe some joy snatchers.
- How does busyness or over commitment affect our level of joy?
- What are some coping mechanisms to overcome things that take away our joy?
- How can one maintain a consistent level of joy in life?
Participants: cwt, Faith, TrustHim, Sunshine, Joe, Chris, Myjava
cwt- What brings pure joy to your life?
Faith -My relationship with God, my husband and children. In that order.
cwt- I agree
cwt -That's what I thought of as well
trustHim I agree also, plus I love God's Word
Faith- Absolutely
cwt- yes reading the Bible can bring a lot of joy
Faith- Right now, I am helping at an Alpha course. It brings me joy to see so many seekers.
Faith -Things that are lasting are often the ones that bring the most joy.
sunshine-True friends ... God's creation ...
trustHim- Jesus said, "I have come that you may have life and life abundantly
Faith -That is good sunshine.
trustHim -so knowing and walking with Jesus Christ gives us much joy
sunshine- When I see His works, it is impossible for me not to believe in God.
trustHim -Rom. 1:20 "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his hetrnal power so they are without excuse>"
Faith -Very true sunshine!
Faith -Do you think there is a difference between happiness and joy? Or are they the same thing?
sunshine- Happiness is more dependent on the surroundings.
trustHim- sometimes they are the same thing, sometimes not
Joy- I think if you have joy you will be happy.
cwt- I think that joy is deeper than happness
sunshine- Sometimes we can have joy even in the midst of incredible pain.
Faith -True. But maybe we could be happy and not have true joy. Happiness always seems to depend on the current circumstances.
trustHim- sometimes is the greatest difficulties, there is a peace a joy down inside that comes from God
cwt- right sunshine
Joy- Yes.
Faith- I agree.
..
sunshine- I think what you said is very true Faith...happiness does not always reflect joy
trustHim- Rom. 1:17 "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, 'the just shall live by faith'. "
trustHim- Faith brings joy
sunshine- so true
Joe- My 3rd time in this site. I'm from Singapore.
sunshine- I think the reverse is also true...unbelief steals joy
Faith- Yes. Surrendering to the claims of Jesus and all he has promised to do for us.
trustHim- Rom.1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.
cwt -so.. How would you describe joy?
Faith -Joy is lasting and comes from within us. Not dependent on outward circumstances.
Chris- One of my favorite topics.
cwt- a sence of peace and well being that everything is going to be okay even in the midst of troubles
Faith- I like that.
Joy- Yes
Joe- But it's really not easy to have that kind of feeling especially in the bad times.
trustHim- that's where faith comes in
Faith -How are you coping in these bad times?
Joy- No, but the JOY of the Lord is our strength.
sunshine- Sometimes it seems both joy and peace go beyond "feelings"...something deeper.
trustHim- amen, that word joy literally means "to be joined to the Lord is our strength"
cwt -thats what I was trying to get at sunshine
trustHim- that is so true
cwt- when we have God in our lives joy goes much deeper
cwt- it is not depended on our circumstances
trustHim- King David said that he would have despaired, but he knew he would see the joy of the Lord in the land of the living
Faith- We can still have joy even in trying circumstances if we keep Jesus as the centre.
cwt- it is dpended on our relationship with God and what He thinks about us and He loves us
sunshine- Joy is a part of the fruit of the Spirit...as we abide in Him, He grows the fruit.
Joe- I've been a Christian for quite sometime but sometimes when I feel so dissappointed with life I could lose all my joy. Does it mean that I don't have enough faith.
cwt- I wouldn't say that Joe
trustHim- no, it means that you are human,
cwt- when we get disappointed with life we can get depressed
trustHim- that's when we need to pray for each other
Faith- We don't always choose what we go through but we can choose how we go through it.
trustHim- and speak encouragement to each other
cwt- God is only a prayer away and wanting to take your pain
Joy- amen Faith
trustHim- the apostle Paul tells us to encourage one another daily
trustHim- the Lord wants us to bear one another's burdens
Joe- I guess that's right. I need to pray more instead of having self-pity on myself.
trustHim- to come alongside and help and support
trustHim -and to remember the good things, and be thankful
sunshine- I think this site has been a neat way to see that worked out practically, trustHim...been an encouragement several times to me.
trustHim- that helps me alot when I am struggling
cwt- describe some joy snatchers.
sunshine- Self-pity
Joe- Unforgiveness
sunshine- bitterness
Faith- Sometimes just the various trials we face in life.
cwt- busyness
trustHim- watching too much news tv
Joe- loneliness
Faith- Unforgiveness is certainly a joy snatcher!
cwt -the attitudes of the people around us can sometimes really deflate us
sunshine- unbelief
Faith-So true.
Joe- Lack of self-confidence
cwt- thats a good one Joe
Joy- Negativity
Faith -That can really start to paralyze a person if we let it.
Joe- Rely on other people for joy
trustHim- we are made in the image of God
trustHim- so, it helps to remember what He thinks of us, how much He loves us
Faith- I think sometimes it becomes a vicious cycle and a bad habit. Some people just always seem to be negative.
Joe- I do agree with Faith
Joy- It will pull you down.
Joy- Take your joy.
trustHim- when we receive Christ as our Savior, the Bible says we are "In Christ" so if I am in Christ, then I am not alone for He is always with me
Joy -Jehovah Shammah
sunshine- "Shammah"? (I've forgotten what it means.)
trustHim- is that the Lord is present?
trustHim- I love that
Joy -yes
sunshine -When I think of Christmas, one of the titles I most love for Christ is "Emmanuel"...God with us.
Joy- Yes sunshine.
cwt- it certainly brings joy knowing that God is always with me and will never leave me
Joe- It's not easy to remember that God is with us during the trials and even I sometimes ask God why let bad things happen to me.
Joy- amen cwt
cwt- i hear you Joe. It is human to ask why
trustHim- Jesus said, In the world you shall have tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world
cwt- great verse trustHim
Joy- Yes
sunshine- I was reading about Job recently...part of the lesson I see there is learning to trust Him, even without the explanations if need be.
cwt- we must remember that God is in control and he doesn't blink and then say "Oh look what jst happened"
trustHim- I love the end of Job, God told him to pray for his friends and everything was restored to him double
cwt -God know what we are going through and has a plan for it and for us
trustHim- that's right cwt
Joe- Is it also true that because God is not with us truely in our hearts that bad things could happen so that we remember Him and come back to look for Him.
trustHim- you know Joe, God is always looking for you, He doesn't move, but sometimes we do
trustHim -Jesus said the good shepherd will leave to 99 sheep to go look for that one lost sheep
Joe- Sorry but I don't really understand what it means, trustHim
Faith- Sometimes God uses trials to mold us into His likeness. Very often people turn to God during low points and they find He is always enough.
cwt- I like the analogny of steel being strenghten by fire...so are we strenghtened by trials
trustHim- it means that God loves you, He will not give up on you or me
Myjava- Just discovered CWT website....I love it!
Faith- Awesome!
cwt- so...What are some coping mechanisms to overcome things that take away our joy?
Joy- We need that armour.
Faith- Ask God to intervene in a situation for us and then trust Him to work it out.
cwt -making sure that we have that quiet time with God often
sunshine- A quote that has challenged & helped me in trials is "We cannot understand the meaning of many trials; God does not explain them. To explain a trial would be to destroy its object, which is that of calling forth simple faith and implicit obedience."
cwt- if we don't keep our eyes focused on God we tend to start sinking
trustHim- that is really good sunshine
Faith- Yes. Take time to focus on Jesus and what He wants from us. Spend time with Him.
trustHim- it helps just to be in a discussion like this to keep our focus
cwt- yes
sunshine- I agree.
Joy- Get into the word of God.
trustHim -I am drinking in all of this good wisdom
trustHim- the psalms is good
trustHim- the book of John
sunshine- When we are so burdened that reading is a chore, sometimes it helps to have on hand some good music that we know speaks truth to us.
cwt- on another level, we also need to treat ourselves as well...taking that tinme to read a good book, go for a latte or get our nails dones
Joy- OK
Faith -That is good practical advice.
Joy -Yes.
trustHim -be good to ourselves
cwt- as women we get so busy with oiur lives taking care of the house we forget to take care of ourselves and spend time with God
Faith -Very true.
Joy -Yes, we do.
cwt- we also need to learn to say "no"
Myjava- It's very easy to let my quiet time go because of things that need to be done...
Faith- And if we are too busy then we can't hear what God is trying to tell us.
Faith- Good point cwt.
sunshine- Sometimes it helps to share the heavy burdens w/ a trusted friend "carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
cwt- yes, we need that time of silence to be able to hear God's voice
Myjava- Yet it's so important to just daily life!
Faith- You are right there. God often uses others to help us in our lives.
Faith- And it is great if we can encourage one another.
cwt- Thank goodness for my close Godly friends
sunshine- Keeping a long-range view helps too, when I remember to think of that. We're not just here for this life!
Myjava -Amen, Sunshine!
cwt- our life on this earth is nothing when compared to eternity
Myjava- It's so easy to get caught up in the temporary things!
sunshine- yet it's so easy to get wrapped up in the immediate, especially if we're not refocusing on Him each day.
cwt -so true
Faith -You are right sunshine.
Faith -I think keeping short accounts with God is important.
cwt- very important
Faith- Confessing any sins because un-confessed sin can cause a barrier between us and God.
cwt- sin in our lives disrupts our relationship with God
Faith- Definitely
cwt- and short circuts God's power in our lifes
trustHim- that is right Faith about sin being a barrier
Faith -But if we confess our sins and agree with God about our sin, He will forgive us.
trustHim- and restore us
Myjava- He removes the sin, doesn't even remember it!!
trustHim- He is so good
cwt- as far as the east is from the west...thats how far God has removed your sin if you confess it
Joy- yes
Faith- It is like we breathe out our sin (exhale) and then give God control of our lives (inhale) the Power of the Holy Spirit.
trustHim- thank You Lord
trustHim- what a great exchange
Myjava- Great example Faith!
trustHim- I think I get the better deal here
cwt -yes it is import to fill the space where the sin used to be..mainly allowing the Holy Spirit to control our lives
Joe -To me, jealousy and suspicion which could be the children of unforgiveness are two of the biggest joy snatchers in my life. Recently, I tried to overcome it by thinking that Lord is the Greatest God who knows everything and sees what I cannot see so I don't need to bother with I feel which may not be true. I also pray: God, I believe that You're fair and just and if my husband has not been faithful to me in anyway, you know and you'll punish him. It helped me somehow,.
Faith- Unforgiveness is certainly a big joy snatcher. And we do have to choose to forgive.
Myjava- Sometimes on a daily basis for the same offense.
Faith- Very true.
cwt- yes forgiveness is a moment by moment choice that we make
Joe- I think I've forgiven but some of the time, the rememberance of hurt comes back again and again.
sunshine- When I think of how the infinitely holy God has forgiven me, it makes it easier to forgive the offenses of others.
cwt- and when we are haveing trouble forgiving we can always ask God to help us to forgive and love that person as God loves Him
Myjava -Tell God about the hurt, he will comfort you!
Faith- I also had a problem with forgiveness. God has changed my heart and He can do the same for you.
Joe- Amen.
sunshine -Forgiving and trusting can be 2 separate issues.
cwt- yes when the rememberence of the hurt comes back once again take it to god
Faith- It helped to remember that we can forgive again and again if necessary.
trustHim- that's right sunshine
Faith- It doesn't mean we let the other person off the hook or what they did was alright, we are just choosing to forgive them and free ourselves.
Faith -Trust does need to be re-earned.
cwt- thats right Faith
Joe- How if we thinks no changes have been made.
Faith -The other person may never think they have done anything wrong. But it will free you to forgive.
trustHim- then you need to prayerfully consider to set boundaries with him
cwt -I agree
sunshine- Forgiveness is vital to my own spiritual life...but boundaries are sometimes appropriate.
Faith- I agree, depending on the situation.
cwt -very true
Faith- My case was with my mother so that was a little bit different than your case Joe.
sunshine- A key can be my heart ... are the boundaries motivated by a desire to punish, or by love?
Myjava- That's good Sunshine!
cwt -great point sunshine
trustHim- powerful sunshine
Faith -That is good!
trustHim- and to remember that loving yourself is important
trustHim- you do deserve a true and faithful husband
Faith- Absolutely
cwt -Our hour has passed. Feel free to comtinue to chat but our formal chat time is up. I'll close in prayer
Joe- Thank you everybody for giving me such wonderful advice.
cwt -Dear Heavenly God and Father, Thank you for this time that we could focus on you, thank you for the encouragement that you have given us all. Help us to keep balance in our lives so that we maintain our joy. Amen
Faith- Father, we thank you for this time together. Thank you for all the ladies here. Help us remember that ultimate joy comes from your Holy Spirit dwelling within us. Keep us focused on following Jesus no matter what the circumstance is. In Jesus' name, Amen.
