Stealing Joy in a Flash
a2z: the letter “J”
Recently I had my joy stolen. It took a few sentences from someone and the pleasure I had been experiencing doing something I loved disappeared.
Tears replaced the joy.
Distress moved in.
Anxiety, of ever doing the activity again, locked the door.
Am I the only one that reacts this way?
I asked a few friends, “What steals your joy in a flash?“
A. You know what steals my joy, are people that tell you what you want to hear. Placaters. Patronizers.
B. Inconsistency
C. Drivers that pass everyone in a construction zone and find a way into the lane where I’ve been waiting for twenty minutes. It’s as if they are the only person who has something to do.
D. Rude people, people who like to put down others to make them feel better about themselves. AND people who state something as a fact when it is merely an opinion. Oh, and people who want to make you and everyone else think that they know more about a subject than you do.
Joy Stealing hits in many ways, but it hits.
So what’s the solution? How should we handle it?
I didn’t like my reaction and I realized by focusing on the situation I was handing over my life to someone else. How silly is that?
I’m not doing this anymore.The only one I’m handing my life over to is Jesus.
Joy is here to stay.
I will not allow anyone to bully me into feeling like this again. The minute I feel that way I’m going to reject it. I’m not giving my joy away–but I am willing to share it.
Joy is here to stay.
I will not allow anyone to bully me into feeling like this again. The minute I feel that way I’m going to reject it. I’m not giving my joy away–but I am willing to share it.
What do you do when someone takes your joy?
Diana
Hi Diana! Thanks for letting me know about the photo! Worked out perfect for this post. I'm playing catchup after all the craziness of my book launch last week. I saw the 'a2z' and thought, hey, did I miss it? I thought it was in April. Then I saw your comment that it was a blog hop! I need to start on my posts in November for any chance of finally taking part in the A to Z event this year!
Ah, yes, time to get started. 🙂
Diana
So many times I have to remind myself that joy, like love, is a choice. It is something to claim, something to choose. We're facing some major changes in our family and I'm losing some sleep to worry. Thanks for reminding me to CHOOSE joy!
Valerie, changes are hard. Let me know what I can pray for okay? You have my email.
Diana
Sometimes a simple remark made at an inopportune moment. And sometimes my own frustrations (I have plans, and something or someone interrupts). Working on overcoming the second; the first is a little harder.
Ginger
The first is harder and it reminds me to be careful what comes out of my own mouth.
Diana
For me, it's circumstances that steal my joy. But I know it's my fault for letting them. Funnily enough, a book that I found very helpful in helping me regain some of that joy is called Spiritual Depression, a book of sermons by David Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Rabia, Spiritual Depression doesn't sound like it would help with joy. 🙂 I'm glad it help you.
Diana
I love that, Diana–not going to let anyone steal your joy but willing to share it. YES! So good. =]
It sounds lame, but I need to mull over what steals my joy. Not that I don't have my joy stolen but because I haven't stopped to pinpoint it so I can deal with it. Thanks for making me think! =]
Patty, I don't think it's lame. Most of the time I'm happy and then BAM! something happens. Next week I won't remember the event. That's probably why you're not sure what steals your joy.
Diana
Wow, Diana! We ARE linked! I grew up this way…always being put down & my joy stolen. Until God healed me of it back in May. Women/girls were my oppressors…all my life…but no more! I've been there, I've lived it, and there IS a way out! Glad you got the junk out of your trunk, too! ;-]
Hi Shelly, yes we are linked. I read your post this morning and thought, here's part 2 of my post. 🙂
Diana