Joy Thieves

“I have everything I need for joy!” exclaimed Robert Reed.

“Amazing!,” thought Max Lucado as he relates Reed’s story in his book The Applause of Heaven.

“His hands are twisted and his feet are useless. He can’t bathe himself. He can’t feed himself. He can’t brush his teeth, comb his hair, or put on his underwear. His shirts are held together by strips of Velcro’. His speech drags like an {outdated}worn-out audio cassette.”

“Robert has cerebral palsy.”

“The disease keeps him from driving a car, riding a bike, and going for a walk. But it didn’t keep him from graduating from high school or attending Abilene Christian University, from which he graduated with a degree in Latin. Having cerebral palsy didn’t keep him from teaching at a St. Louis junior college or from venturing overseas on five mission trips.”

“And Robert’s disease didn’t prevent him from becoming a missionary in Portugal.”

“He moved to Lisbon, alone, in 1972. There he rented a hotel room and began studying Portuguese. He found a restaurant owner who would feed him after the rush hour and a tutor who would instruct him in the language.”

“Then he stationed himself daily in a park, where he distributed brochures about Christ. Within six years he led seventy people to the Lord, one of whom became his wife, Rosa.”

“I heard Robert speak recently. I watched other men carry him in his wheelchair onto the platform. I watched them lay a Bible in his lap. I watched his stiff fingers force open the pages. And I watched people in the audience wipe away tears of admiration from their faces. Robert could have asked for sympathy or pity, but he did just the opposite. He held his bent hand up in the air and boasted, “I have everything I need for joy.”

Last night our Bible class was studying the topic of Joy. We discussed the attitude of Joy. Our reasons for Joy as a Christian. And the action of joy as expressed in one’s life.

The word “joy” is found158 times in the Bible. Its companion word “rejoice” occurs 199 times. It’s a constant exhortation to Christians.

To the apostles, and by implication and application to us, Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (Jn. 15:11).

In the Philippian letter, Paul speaks of the “joy of faith,” and urges us to “rejoice in the Lord always.” (Phil. 1:25, 4:4).

Among the manifestation of “the fruit of the Spirit” in our lives is joy (Gal. 5:22).

James said we could even find joy amidst life’s trials and temptations (Jas. 1:2).

Too often, however, we allow joy thieves to steal our joy.

#1 Worry is a joy thief

Jesus succinctly advised us “don’t worry.” Worry is a trait of unbelievers. When we trust our heavenly Father to provide for our every need, it not only eliminates stress, anxiety, and worry, but it strengthens our joy (Matt. 6:25-34).

#2 Fear is a joy thief.

Fear is a deadly and debilitating emotion. Fear makes us skeptical. Suspicious. Selfish. Stubborn. And short-sighted.

Fear paralyzes us. Retards action. And causes faith to falter.

When the storm around you rages, hear the voice of Jesus who confidently promises, “Fear not. I am with you.”

#3 Comparison is a joy thief.

“Comparison is the death of joy,” observed Mark Twain. It causes us to look at what we don’t have instead of the blessings God has given us. Furthermore it often leads of envy and jealousy. This deadly combination robs of our joy.

#4 Unforgiveness is a joy thief.

When we fail to forgive others, Jesus said that God will not forgive us (Matt. 6:13-14). In other words, as George Muller expressed it, “He who fails to forgive others burns the bridge over which he must walk himself.” Unforgiveness leads to bitterness, resentment, and rancor. It’s a guaranteed joy robber.

Don’t allow Satan’s minions, his joy thieves, to steal your “joy of faith.”

The next time you’re tempted to wallow in depression, misery, and melancholy, surrendering your joy, remember Robert Reed. “His shirts are held together by Velcro’, but his life is held together by joy.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman