4 Lies that Steal Our Joy (& the Truth that Sets Us Free)
Joy is real. It’s an actual wellspring that can sustain us, strengthen us, and spill over to people around us. Joy is promised to us in Scripture, so why do so many of us feel we have lost it? What is it that comes along to steal our joy?
A primary reason is that there is an enemy that is real whose goal is to steal our joy. His lifeblood is to steal, kill and destroy. His nature is to lie. What greater power could he have over us than to deceive us, stripping us of confidence, and silencing our wellspring of joy?
Thankfully, we can identify lying thoughts, take them captive, and make them obedient to Christ. For the good of our souls, it is absolutely essential that we name the lies, and replace them with Truth.
For the good of our souls, it is essential that we name lies and replace them with Truth. Share on X
At Joy Let Loose, we passionately pursue the kind of life that explodes with joy. So we want to help identify 4 Lies that Steal Our Joy (& the Truth that Sets Us Free.) It takes practice, and often a whole lot of accountability, to recognize, name, and replace the lies. But I promise you that freedom and joy lie on the other side!
4 Lies that Steal Our Joy
(& the Truth that Sets Us Free)
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Lie #1: I am less than…
Oh, how easy it is to look at ourselves in light of everyone else! It’s incredibly simple for the enemy to gain access to our perspective as soon as we begin to evaluate how _____ we are compared to anyone else. Have you experienced this?
I’m not:
pretty enough
smart enough
thin enough
energetic enough
spiritual enough
young enough
______ enough…
It takes very little time for a comparison mindset to steal the wind from our sails and suck our joy dry. But Scripture is clear that we only need to see ourselves in light of Jesus Christ. In Romans, Paul says that if we follow Jesus, then the Holy Spirit testifies with our spirits that we are God’s children, and co-heirs with Christ. As a co-heir, we are joined with Him–adopted as God’s sons and daughters–and compared only to Him.
Truth: I Am Enough
God says that we are enough. Psalm 139 says we are fearfully and wonderfully made.
The next time the lie comes to your mind that you are not ____ enough, capture it. Name it as a lie. And replace it with the Truth that God sees you, chooses you, and loves you enough to call you His own son or daughter. He sees you as welcome and wonderful enough to join with Jesus.
God sees you, chooses you, and loves you enough to call you His own son or daughter. Share on X
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Lie #2: I don’t have enough…
I’ve lived lots of places. Most of them have been in (North American) depressed economies. But God recently called us to minister in a very wealthy area. Feeling out of place? A little! But I’ve found that it doesn’t matter whether I live around luxury or lack, the enemy still likes to throw darts about it.
When I had to rely on WIC to afford milk for our kids, I thought, “I don’t have enough.” When we struggled to pay for car repairs or to fill the tank, “I don’t have enough.” When our oil bill exceeded our mortgage payment…same thoughts.
But in those seasons of scarcity, God proved again and again that He is enough. His repeated, miraculous provision through the hands of the generous showed me that, in fact, I had so much that I could overflow it to others. When bank statements made no sense, still there was just enough for us not to sink. When we were not sure how we would make it to another pay-check, bags of groceries and plentiful harvest would be waiting on our porch.
Recently, we bought a house. The house-hunting process in a wealthy area proved to be a tempting place to begin to say, “I don’t have enough..” But I’ve learned not to pine after what I can’t have, and to be content with what is possible. And high in the mountains of Haiti, I was reminded again that He is enough. And not only do I have enough, I have enough for others too. I will not be defeated by a poverty mindset. My God provides.
I will not be defeated by a poverty mindset. My God provides. Share on XTruth: My God Provides
So whether you are in a season of luxury or one of lack, be wary of your thoughts. Gratitude and contentment are always possible as we lean into the Lord’s provision. Challenge the lie that you don’t have enough with the truth that He will provide for all of your needs in Christ Jesus.
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Lie #3: My circumstance Means no joy…
Let’s face it: life is plain hard. Many of us struggle against realities we never dreamed possible, and navigate circumstances that seem too much to bear. Energy gets zapped, hope seems lost, and a joyful perspective seems impossible to find again. But our joy is not dependent on circumstances alone. In fact, it is dependent on our God.
In a previous post, I quoted Dallis Willard who said that joy is “not pleasure, a mere sensation, but a pervasive and constant sense of wellbeing. It claims our entire body and soul, both the physical and the non-physical side of the human self.”(1) Abiding joy is what causes the widow to turn toward God for solace, and makes the cancer patient intent on leaning in to each remaining moment.
Truth: Joy Disregards Circumstances
Our circumstances might dampen our feelings of happiness, but the wellbeing that is found in Jesus will not be shaken. Joy remains. We must peer through the fog to remember it and lean on its strength. When Isaiah prophesied in Chapter 52 that deliverance was coming, he instructed the Israelites to lean in to the promise of salvation, and to take off chains and shout for joy, even as they waited. They weren’t to hold out for rescue before they rejoiced about it.
Joy disregards circumstances. And our disciplined rejoicing in faith can yield the fruit of abundant joy. So the next time your life circumstances threaten your wellbeing, and the enemy whispers to you that your joy is lost, refuse to believe it. Claim the truth that the joy of the Lord is your strength, and lean in to it.
Claim the truth that the joy of the Lord is your strength. And then lean in to it. Share on X
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I’m just not a joyful person…
I know people whose nature is to exude happiness. Their thanksgiving is inspiring and their energy is boundless. I know others who express joy through patience and contentment. Still others depict joy in their compassion and generosity. It takes on different forms, and is not a one-size-fits-all quality.
Joy is a God-like trait, and a fruit that grows in us as we grow closer to the Lord. It becomes our very nature as we are transformed to be like Jesus. I am introverted in personality, and even-keel in temperament, so I have often thought I may not be joyful. I’ve questioned where my joy is. But Scripture shows joy in many forms: it looks like perseverance in trial, exuberance in praise, confidence and gratitude for God’s provision, and deep and abiding faith.
Truth: My Joy is Unique
So, when you are tempted to think you are not a joyful person, shake off your one-size-fits-all definition. Your joy is unique. Joy doesn’t look just one way – it is not only exuberant, chipper, and boisterous. Instead, remind yourself that joy also abides, remains steadfast, believes fully, and bears patiently. Ask the Lord to restore to you the joy of your salvation.
4 Lies That Steal Our Joy
(& the Truth that Sets Us Free)
Joy, my friends, grows in us as we grow in Christ. It is bold and it is active. The enemy of our souls is a thief and a deceiver., and he wants to steal our joy. So I pray today that you will see fruit in your lives from unearthing these 4 Lies that Steal Our Joy (& the Truth that Sets Us Free.)
How about you? How do you take thoughts captive and claim what is true?
Elizabeth Joy
Dawn
May 26, 2017
For me to be effective in taking my thoughts captive I have to speak it out loud and I’ve noticed lately I’ve been slacking on this……thank you for this reminder.
Elizabeth
May 26, 2017
Yes! Great point! Say it right out loud. The enemy can’t hear your thoughts, so speak the Truth out. It helps you, too, to hear your own voice with your own ears. You can do this, my friend! 😊
Elizabeth
May 26, 2017
That’s a great point! Yes, speak it out loud. The enemy can’t hear your thoughts, so tell him exactly what is true! And it helps you to hear your own voice with your own ears. You can do this, my friend! 🙂
Vinetta
May 26, 2017
Great read Elizabeth and so very true. The enemy is out to steal our joy on a daily basis with his lies. Thanks for sharing this insight.
Elizabeth
May 26, 2017
Glad you came by, Vinetta! God bless you. 😊
Elizabeth
May 27, 2017
I’m glad you found this helpful, Vinetta! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Wanda Killam
May 27, 2017
Inspired ,Elizabeth Joy , once again ,these inspired words have filled me with Joy ,I just can’t thank God enough for allowing me to be part of your journey of Joy . He had me on the journey ,and for Him to give you the insight to share ,just blows me away. Love the verse from His Word to me today .1 John 3:1 To be able to enjoy your inspiring blog on Joyletloose ,is another way God is lavishing His love on me . Wow I have to give all the praise to Him ,He just keeps my radar set to pick up joy. Amazing !! God Bless you ,praying for you .I will reread today’s blog many times , so so good ,it will continue to inspire me .😀
Elizabeth
May 27, 2017
Your journey inspires me too, Wanda! Thank you for being so willing to share what God is doing in you! 🙂
Sabrina
May 28, 2017
You are forever an inspiration. This post revealed things about you that I didn’t know about, and I think you are brave and thoughtful for sharing details that help comfort others. We have also had hard times but somehow God kept us afloat in the most surprising ways.
You’ve made many great points in this post, as it is very difficult in today’s society to feel “enough”. I feel like God has been teaching me this for years now, that I am enough and I have more than enough. I believe He showed me this post today. Another emotional read. You are a gifted writer and teacher. Thank you ❤❤❤
Elizabeth
May 28, 2017
Sabrina, thank you. I love that you are on this journey too. I’m so glad you visited to read. Now, maybe sometime we can visit in person! 🙂
Kaitlin
May 31, 2017
Oh girl,
You totally hit the nail on the head with this post! I love when you wrote, “Our circumstances might dampen our feelings of happiness, but the wellbeing that is found in Jesus will not be shaken.” Ahh! That is so good. Our circumstances may shake our happiness but it cannot take away the joy that the Spirit gives. Thank you for this reminder!
Elizabeth
May 31, 2017
So glad you were encouraged, Kaitlin! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a note. 🙂 Blessings to you!
Hannah
May 31, 2017
Ahh, so true. It’s so easy to fall for the lies because they seem believable and the truth can be too good to be true. Praise Hod that his word never lies and we can always turn to it!
Jasmine
May 31, 2017
I really struggle with telling myself lies from Satan… I need to just take my thoughts captive like you said, and let God show me the truth
Liz Rigby
June 2, 2017
I so often forget that Satan is out there deliberately working against me! Thanks for the reminder 🙂
Elizabeth
June 2, 2017
I know it. We ALL need the reminders to start living on the offensive line!