Joy 3: Winning the War

I have a young grandgirl who is full of energy. She seems to be in endless motion, running from one activity to the next: trampoline, jungle gym, playing princess, pretending to shop, swimming, visiting the piglets, all with me in tow. Joy bubbles out of her.

When this Jeedoo (my grandmother name) gets tired and requires a pause, my girl is wise enough to grant it if she wants me to keep playing. But sometimes, if I—or her mom or dad—choose not to cooperate with her desired activity, she can become very unhappy. Happy face and joy disappear.

Most of us can be like that sometimes. Most of us want our own way, and when life is going our way, we are happy, even joyful. But when circumstances, or our prodigal, or God interferes with our way, our joy can disappear.

We have an enemy

We also have an enemy, who is enticing our prodigal, and loving to steal our joy.

Much of the strife, tension, warfare, and violence we see around the world is more than just conflicting ideologies, warring tribes, people demanding freedom, nations seeking to dominate. It is because powerful satanic forces will use any conflict, misunderstanding, power grab to increase turmoil, animosity, fear and more. They are not taking sides. They are playing one against another.

Our God, on the other hand, is a God of love and peace. His angelic forces are engaged in the battle—to protect the earth and all its inhabitants from the destructive intentions of Satan.

There are many of God’s children who are actively involved for the Kingdom of God— on their knees--where battles are won. Worshiping God. Speaking His truth. Living out His love.

Jesus said of the devil, our enemy: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;” (John 10:10) He especially loves to steal our joy.

Peter warns us: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) 

So, if the devil, the world, our own desires and our prodigals are all conspiring against us, how do we find and hold on to joy?

Winning the War

We have someone more powerful than all those joy stealers. The Holy Spirit of God lives in us and fights for us and gives us all we need, including joy.

Zechariah 4:6: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit…

Romans 15:13: 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the first key. Jesus said it was better that He leave so that the Spirit could come and live in each of us.  He provides so much for us:

He fights for us in the battle.

He is our advocate.

He comforts and encourages.

He is our help and deliverer

He is a warrior.

As we admit our own inadequacies and sins and ask the Spirit of Jesus to fill us and direct us and empower us, He will.  He will do all the above for us. He will be with us in all the battles. And then the bonus:

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Do you see that second fruit of the Spirit? Joy! It becomes yours as you surrender to the Lord, choosing to walk in His will and wisdom and power.

We can have joy as a way of life, even life with a prodigal. I said last week that I would share two secrets for consistent joy. That’s the first practice—live in the Spirit.

Thank You, Lord

Let me tell you one more practice for a joyful life.

As I told the story of my grandgirl (and my natural desires), I noted that when she/we got what we wanted, we could be happy, even joyful.

But as we have discovered, life does not give us all that we want, our own way.

You may have heard this saying: It is not joy that makes us grateful. It’s gratitude that makes us joyful.

When my husband died, I and my family who were there made a tight circle and prayed. All the words that came out of my mouth were “Thank You, Lord.”

How could that be? I believe it is because a lot of years ago I made a decision to act on God’s command through Paul:

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  (Philippians 4:4-6)

This has become my second way of life practice: to give thanks in everything.

Everything? When I don’t get my way? When my prodigal once again breaks my heart?

Yes. It has transformed my life. Giving thanks has given me an amazing life filled with joy. Even in the loss of my husband. Even through tears. God gives joy.

So we have looked at two practices that we can live out and find great joy in return:

Be filled with and walk in the Spirit.

Give thanks in everything.

My prayer for you is that you will be honest with God, tell him of all your pain and fears and loss. Then thank Him that He is with you in it all, that His Spirit lives in you and will give you joy, even in the midst of pain. Then thank Him, for what you like, and even for what you wouldn’t have chosen.

Will you do it? Will you walk in the Spirit? Will you give thanks?

C2023 Judy Douglass

Remember that June 2 is just over a week away. Be sure to give us the name(s) of your prodigal if you haven’t already. Let your friends know about Prodigal Prayer Day. Invite them to pray with you. Or you can join our Zoom prayer call. Watch for link.

Two joy songs for you:

Jonny Diaz—Joyutube.com/watch?v=-GjW1pSYgUk

Joy of the Lord, Dante, Naomi—Maverick City