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This post has been in the works for over a year. Something happened on a recent trip to Nashville that brought it right back to the forefront. Then, I walked into my friend’s new house the other day and this letter board surprised me. There Ain’t Nothing Gonna Steal My Joy! It was time to finish writing the post…Don’t Let It Steal Your Joy!
Part of the reason that it’s taken so long is that this topic is hard for me, y’all (the y’all is left over from Nashville). I’m a nerdy accountant with a penchant for sensing right and wrong, fairness, no gray areas, etc. My personal expectations are high, and when they aren’t met, it’s not easy to navigate.
You might be able to identify with some of these examples, some not. No matter what, the idea to keep in mind (often easier said than done) is: don’t let it steal your joy!
Yogurtland
So, here goes. Yogurtland. One of the companies that made frozen yogurt popular again. Self-serve. Free samples. Fun for kids. A tasty treat for all.
We went to our local Yogurtland once, had our free samples, made our purchases, and sat down to enjoy our fro-yo. In walked a young adult and a bunch of kids. They all grabbed a bunch of sample cups and proceeded to sample and sample and sample and sample and sample and…you get the picture. Then, they left.
I was steamed! And rightly so. However, this was the first time that I remember my husband wisely and lovingly admonishing me by saying, “Don’t let it steal your joy.” Rather than dealing with the situation calmly, appropriately, or some other adverb, I was allowing the situation to steal my joy.
Things I Can’t Remember (This is a Good Thing)
Over time, my husband has continued to wisely and lovingly admonish by reminding me…”don’t let it steal your joy.” Thankfully, for my own mental, emotional, and spiritual health, I can’t remember most of the situations that caused him to remind me. If certain instances do come to mind, it’s not healthy for me to dwell on them.
Nashville
And then came Nashville. I love Nashville! I was able to attend a conference with my Dad, and there were some great things planned that I was really looking forward to. One of those events was attending a concert at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Due to slow security checkpoints, we didn’t get inside until after the concert had already begun. An usher showed us to our seats (which were right in front in Row C!) and ran off to help another patron. Well, one of our seats was occupied by a young man who refused to move. I sat down in the open seat, and my Dad found a random open seat nearby. I asked this guy if he had a ticket. He produced his ticket, and it indicated that he was supposed to be in Row K! I pointed this out (again, the concert is in progress). He didn’t seem to care, he actually suggested that I should find another seat, and he wasn’t about to move. My blood pressure, on the other hand, was steadily rising.
Here was my moment of opportunity.
I could have requested the assistance of an usher to make things right. I suppose I could’ve moved elsewhere, so that I could preferably sit by my Dad. But, what did I do instead? I stayed put. I sat right next to this guy for the duration of the concert…blood boiling…trying hard to remember…”don’t let it steal your joy.” It worked a little. At least I didn’t do or say some of what my heart and mind were devising. In fact, I never said another word to the guy.
But, the concert wasn’t as enjoyable as it could’ve, would’ve, should’ve been. I didn’t get to sit by my Dad, and really, I didn’t deal directly with the problem or my attitude.
I am not proud of myself.
While it can be easy for me to think that others are stealing my joy in these situations, it’s really me “allowing” these situations to have a chance at stealing my joy. “Don’t let it steal your joy,” says my amazing husband. I need to remember this in. the. moment.
Fight for Joy
After the episode in Nashville, there were still two more days of the conference. In those two days, I listened to two speakers encouraging us to “fight for joy.” Hmm…seems this was something I needed to hear! Now, this doesn’t mean “fight for happiness.” Being happy 24/7 isn’t realistic. Life happens. We’re not always happy. Being joyful 24/7, though, is a conscious choice. The first part of 2 Corinthians 6:10 (NIRV) says, “We [can be] sad, but we are always full of joy.” Why? Because we have hope…hope in the Lord.
Do you ever save Facebook posts? I don’t very often. But, this Pioneer Woman Facebook post nails it. Be a joyleader. Set a tone of joyfulness…for me, while semi-budget traveling, while homeschooling, in every area of life.
The Letter Board
There ain’t nothing gonna steal my joy!…or, more directly, don’t let it steal your joy! Obviously, the “it” we’re referring to here is anything that threatens to steal your joy. This is different for all of us. Me? I need to check my expectations and deal with things (calmly) head-on, rather than having my blood pressure skyrocket. Is this easy for me? No! Will it be easy for you? Prob not. But, keep fighting…for joy!
Don’t let it steal your joy! How do you fight for joy? Please share in the comments below!