Happy {Belated} Sunday! Is Negativity Trying to Steal Your Joy?

  Hey there, Lovelies! I hope you all had a terrific weekend! I'm still getting back into the groove of things, so my "Happy Sunday" post is belated just a bit... :) Today I have a question I want each one of you to ask yourself. Do you let the negativity in this life steal your joy? This can pertain to the small things as well as the larger things. 

Examples: a rude cashier, a co-worker who tells lies about you, a lazy co-worker, car trouble, a sickness in your family, an argument with a friend, someone cut you off in traffic, a telemarketer called and woke you up, the person sitting beside you at lunch chewed too loudly, maybe you have a painful disease... the list could go on for days...

  Whether you realize it or not, when you choose to let these things bother you to the point that they begin to control your attitude, you are just letting them steal you joy right out from under you. I have definitely been guilty of this lately, myself. But you know what? For each and every one of those negative things that may be occurring in or around your life, I'm guessing you can find at least 2 more positives... just try it...

You know what else? Jesus tells us this in John 14:27...
 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

  Isn't that wonderful knowing we can turn to Jesus and he will give us that sweet joy and peace when we feel troubled?!

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  Here is a little scenario that recently happened to me... This week, as I was handwashing the dishes complaining under my breath about the dishwasher being broken, a thought occurred to me. It was actually such a blessing that I was even washing those dishes. You know why? Those dirty dishes meant that I had food to eat. That alone makes me more blessed than thousands of starving people all over the world. It almost makes me appreciate that task and now, believe it or not, I don't dread it so much. (for now:))

   Before I go, I want to share with you one more verse that has really helped me when my joy and patience have been tested in this chaotic world that we live in.

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   I hope that each and every one of you have a terrific week! As you begin this new week, I hope that, no matter what you obstacles you may face, you will make the decision to choose joy! Just take a deep breath, smile, and relax. Pray for that peace that Jesus promised us in the book of John. Those dark clouds won't hover over you forever. It won't be long before you see the sun come shining through.

**I have a couple of new crafty posts coming this week. I may even have a few surprises up my sleeve... Be sure to stop back by and see what I'm up to :)