Bite Out Of Your Delight

Well...I'm stealing this one from Beth Moore but I just absolutely enjoyed attending the simulcast last weekend that I cannot get over it! But, ain't that a good thing? Not getting over our Lord Jesus Christ!!

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So, anyway, during the simulcast she began to talk about three ways that your delight can be stolen and these three things all boil down to issues that WE have...not other people. She used the acronym of JAW because your jaw is the one that bites things. Okay, stay with me here and you'll understand...

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J - Jealousy "Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong." Psalm 37:1 (NLT). How many times do we get so wrapped up in what someone else has or what we think we must have to keep up with everyone else that we begin to be unhappy? I've been thinking and I have realized that jealousy doesn't mean just being jealous of someone else's possessions. You can be jealous of someone at work who seems to never get in trouble, they are always able to come in late, leave early and you are micro-managed to the point of frustration. That jealousy can steal the bite out of your delight!

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A - Anger "Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm." Psalm 37:8 (NLT). Oh how I struggle with this one. I get so worked up about things that before I know I'm fuming mad and then that attitude rubs off on those around me and then makes a bad situation even worse! I carry my feelings on my sleeves and trust me, that ain't a good thing! I am learning that any forgiveness issues I have can all be traced right back to anger! Ouch...that hurts!!

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W - Worry "Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes." Psalm 37:7 (NLT). Worry, worry, worry...that should be my middle name. I worry about my kids, my job, my husband, my friends, bills, the future, etc., etc., etc. I have passed this horrible trait onto my children and as Beth Moore stood there and began to talk more and more about worry I became so convicted! I must and I repeat I must let go, stop being so controlling and put it in God's hands. I'm very good at saying that I need to do this but, my actions say something totally different.

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I hope you remember this! It has truly helped me over the past few days. Don't allow Jealousy, Anger and Worry to steal the bite out of your delight. After all, "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires." Psalm 37:4 (NLT).