DO NOT LET ANYONE STEAL YOUR JOY. Well, that’s a misnomer. No one can actually steal your joy, nor your peace, but you can relinquish it. You have a choice in the matter. You can choose to be hurt and offended when someone is hurtful towards you, or you can choose to remain in peace and joy. These are fruits of the Spirit living inside the child of God.
Just like no one can steal the Spirit living inside you, they cannot steal any fruit produced from the Spirit. Read that again. The Spirit living inside you produces the fruit of peace and joy. No one can steal it. However, you always have a choice of how you will react to any given situation. When treated ugly, you can get mad and be ugly back OR you can operate according to the Spirit and choose to be kind and bless. I always tell people,
Kill them with kindness.
You have a responsibility to the Lord and mankind to act kindly. It is the fruit of the Spirit living inside the child of God. And how you respond will determine whether or not you lose your peace and joy. You will give an account for your actions to the Lord and Him only.
“And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong.” 2 Timothy 2:24
Ah ha! “Willing to suffer wrong”. This is the very idea of meekness. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Isn’t this what Jesus did on the cross? Suffered wrong for our sake? Remember, it’s not about you. It’s always about Jesus and how you act/speak reflects on Him. Do you have someone in your life who treats you with contempt? Is the peace of God missing from that relationship?
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”
Romans 12:17-19
If they refuse to tell you why they are mad and offended, and are unwilling to be truthful about their sourness, and you’ve done your part to seek peace; then just shower them with the kindness of the Lord. You may not change them, but I guarantee it will change you. Let them stew in their bitterness; but you remain in the joy and peace of the Spirit.
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
