Devotionals

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What do you allow to steal your joy? First, we must define joy. Joy is intense satisfaction that fills you with gladness. True joy is not based on circumstances, it comes from God, so what do you allow to steal it from you. For some it may be financial worries, for others failure or lack of success, for some it may be the lack of or the troublesomeness of a relationship, whatever the case may be why do we allow it to happen. If joy comes from the Lord, then why are we not partaking of the joy that he wants to freely give to us.
I know for myself, I do not truly allow him to be my strength and my hope. The Bible tells us “The joy of the Lord is my strength” Nehemiah 8:10 and Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” So, why do we not allow him to be that strength for us? As I said, I do not always allow him to be my strength. I try to do it on my own. When I want something, so badly I will try as hard as I can to make it happen. I will work myself to death. When I could simply go to the Lord and ask him and I shall receive.
Today, I was questioning the success of my life. Lately, I have made some major life changes and transitions, which have caused me to question my own success. Though, through these changes I feel I have followed the call of the Lord on my life I also have worried because of the “unknown.” As I was reading in my devotional time, it was stated in the book that I was reading that we allow the unknown to steal our hope. This is exactly what I have done as I have sat and pondered whether or not I was being successful and whether or not my family and I will be okay financially in the days ahead. It went on to talk about how God will provide all my needs and I should focus on what I do know to be true and what I do know to do and that is to do what the Lord has given me to do the task he has equipped me for and leave the rest to him.
This gave me a new hope, a new outlook and helped me to know I must only focus on Him and the purpose and task He has laid before me, and leave the rest to Him. What about you, what are you allowing to steal your joy? Do not let it take away what the Lord has for you. Renew your strength, reevaluate your focus and use his guidance to help you today.

Alyssa Avant is a Christian Author and Speaker who helps moms connect with their daughters. A work at home mom , Alyssa is the founder of Beauty By Design Ministries, http://www.beautybydesignonline.com Receive a free “My Princess: A Letter from a King”, a letter from God to your daughter when you sign up for my e-zine. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mom-daughter_connection/

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