I have to be honest. Ole Smutty face, our family name for Satan, can steal my joy faster than I can flick a tick off of the dog. Boy, did that sentence show my southern roots or what? (I’m cracking myself up here!) Anyway. It’s true. The enemy’s number one job is to steal and kill what God has given us. And God has given us joy! Do you remember that childhood song you sang in Sunday school way back when?
“I’ve got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy down in my heart! Where? Down in my heart! Where? Down in my heart!”
Second Verse: Sing it with me…
“I’ve got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart! Where? Down in my heart! Where? Down in my heart!”
Even though I sang that song as a child, I didn’t get the true meaning of it. How could I? There wasn’t anything in my childhood that induced sadness. Oh, sure I had my moments of displeasure, and I knew how to throw a fit about it too. (Translation for those who live in other countries and northern states: to throw a fit is to have a tantrum.) But most of the time, I was happy.
I think children are just naturally happy and content with their circumstances. That’s because their circumstances are arranged to meet their needs. When hungry, their tummy’s are filled; when downcast, they are encouraged; when bored, they are taught to play; and when their tiny eyelids grow sleepy, someone tucks then into a warm, soft bed to rest for the night. It’s also natural for a child to be happy because she doesn’t have to face facts.
It’s not until we reach adulthood that we face facts. It’s then we realize that happiness is associated with circumstances. When all is going well, we are happy—but when our circumstances go sour, so do we.
Joy is much different than happiness. It doesn’t come from our circumstances. Joy comes from doing God’s will. Jesus said, “My joy is made full when I’m doing the will of the Father.” You and I were created for purpose; for service. When we are doing what we were created for than joy fills our hearts and peace rules. On the other hand, when you and I attempt to live life apart from God’s purposes, it’s like a coffee mug trying to fly.
Wouldn’t it be strange if I got up this morning, reached for a coffee cup, and proceeded to fill it with hot coffee when all of a sudden it protested? “Hey!” Don’t put that coffee in me. I’m not a cup. I’m a Frisbee.” (Okay, I know this is a strange analogy but hang with me for a second. It is early, you know.)
Let’s say I buy the mugs argument, open the back door, and attempt to fly the coffee mug as if it were a Frisbee. I dare say the results would be tragic. Upon impact, the mug would shatter into a million little pieces and scatter across my patio. The first thing my kids would say after running down the stairs to see what crashed is, “I’m not cleaning that up.”
It’s usually while we’re trying to clean up the broken pieces of a life lived apart from God that we wonder where has our joy has gone. For others, we’ve found ourselves mixed up in the circumstances of family or friends and we’ve allowed that situation steal our joy. We know our joy is there somewhere—but where?
Something happens when the easy flow of life is interrupted by chaos. We switch something off. Most of the time, it’s our faith we turn off. We stop following God and walking in light of truth because of what our circumstances are telling us.
Oh sure, you and I are fine when God is blessing us, but when the blessings stop—we stop. The problem is our aim. We are aiming for happiness instead of joy. Joy is only achieved in following after God and fulfilling our created purpose.
So, where are you today? Has Satan stolen your joy?
If so, how has this affected your witness; your life; and your service to the kingdom?
What do you plan to do about it? I know what I’m going to do. I’m going to keep following Christ. And as I do, you’ll hear me singing… “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart!”
Come on…sing it with me! “Down in my heart to stay!!”
Sharon Sloan - Joy In The Truth says
Beautiful, Micca! The more we take in of Him, the more His truth, love and joy fill us! Deep calls unto deep.
Love you!
(ps — typed with non-polished nails…taking care of that today as I rest! Thank you for offering to paint them for me…I know you would if we lived closer!) 🙂
Gale says
Thanks,Micca. As I face tough decisions in the next 10 days, your words on Proverbs 31 ministry email “Encouragement for Today” uplifts me and restores my Hope. I believe that God will help me to make the right decision concerning my daughter’s planned wedding on NOvember 8th- evenif it should be an unpopular one and makes me look unfeeling.
Thank you for the word of JOY. I need that today.
Gale in Texas
JottinMama says
I had forgotten all about that song! I’m going to start singing it to my 2 year old today!
Thank you for reminding me that:
“You and I don’t serve God because we are good enough. We serve God because He’s good enough.”
And my goodness….I have been known to be a coffee mug who thinks she is a frisbee. Thanks for reminding me that:
“It’s usually while we’re trying to clean up the broken pieces of a life lived apart from God that we wonder where has our joy has gone.”
Thank you so much for the much needed reminders this morning 🙂 Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Blessings,
Kate
Cheri Bunch says
Micca~
Thank you for helping me to start my day with a happy song. I love this post. It is a beautiful reminder of truth…….powerful truth!
Thank you so much!
Blessings,
Cheri
Tonya says
Micca,
I needed this blog today as well as your Prov 31 Devotion. It is wonderful!!!
You are truly an inspiration to me. I must learn that my joy is not equal to my happiness! I studied joy this summer in Phillipians. How quickly I have forgotten what Paul told me to do!!
God Bless,
Tonya
Julie Coleman says
LOVED your P31 devotional this morning, Micca. Our joy is not in the circumstance, but in the God we serve. That mom could have joy because she served a faithful God who has promised to work all things for good to those who are called according to His purpose.
“You and I don’t serve God because we are good enough. We serve God because He’s good enough.” What beautiful, true, true words. It is in our inadequacy He reveals His glory. It shines out through the cracks in these earthen vessels.
You blessed me this morning. I even printed the devotional for my files. Thank you for your devotion to the Lord– it encourages us all.
Charlotte says
Micca, I really appreciate your observations on joy and happiness. I have thought a lot about this subject during periods of trials. I know that my emotions can be all over the place, but that my real joy in the Lord is to be based on Him and not happenings. It is hard for me to know how to avoid those ups and downs, however. When the Lord answers a prayer, I am happy, and I have to struggle to keep my emotions in check, so that I am not basing my outlook on my circumstances. I liked your reminder that joy is based on doing God’s will.
Vern ~ Inspired says
I laughed when I read that you had a name for “the ugly one”!
He is a loser!!
Ok now that I got that out of my system!
I wanted to let you know that you inspired my blog post today.
As I read yours I thought about the truth that the power of singing has.
So Sing On Sisters and come by my blog to share what songs inspire and give you encouragement!
Bonita says
I’m not sure which I like better, the message of your post or all that southernness showing through!
MaryBeth Seal says
You crack me up too–I like your southern roots! Ole Smutty face was in my face today–came out of nowhere–KABOOM! After many tears, I realize; he is trying to kill, steal and destroy–but thanks be to God; he will not win; joy cometh in the morning; and my weeping will turn to joy….I love your writings—
MaryBeth Seal says
You crack me up too–I like your southern roots! Ole Smutty face was in my face today–came out of nowhere–KABOOM! After many tears, I realize; he is trying to kill, steal and destroy–but thanks be to God; he will not win; joy cometh in the morning; and my weeping will turn to joy….I love your writings—
Victoria says
Thanks for the blog and the devotional today. I have been feeling sick and have let my joy slip away. I will keep that song in my head tonight as I work! God bless.