When I went to sleep last night, I was not happy. I let someone upset me and it frustrated me that I couldn’t change them or the situation. However, when I went to sleep last night, I did have joy. There is a difference. See, although I allowed someone to bother me emotionally, I was fine spiritually because that person (and not any other person) has my joy.

Merriam-Webster’s 3rd Definition of joy is a source or cause of delight. If you look at joy from this perspective, this means that whenever someone can take away your joy, they are essentially the source of it. So, who has your joy? If it is possessed by anyone other than God, you’re in trouble.

I remember when I used to get into huge arguments with a certain person. I would be so upset afterwards that I would shut down for days at a time. I would get depressed, not talk to anyone, cancel all of my plans, lie in bed, cry and be mad at the world. I gave one person the power to dictate how I felt and how I lived my life. I could only have a good day if they allowed me to. They had my joy. Have you ever been in a similar situation? Maybe you give that power to your significant other, your parents, your kids or even your job. When someone or something has that power over you, and they upset you, your whole world goes upside down. You cannot control anyone or anything except yourself. Therefore, you should never give away that power where you can’t control it.

Life happens. We won’t always be happy, but it is possible to always have joy. In fact, James 1:2 says: Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. Have joy in the fact that you are alive. Have joy in the fact that you are well. Have joy in the fact that God loves you unconditionally, even if no one else does. If someone has your joy, the source of your peace and your sanity, my best advice to you is to take it back! You can’t walk in your purpose if someone else is holding your puppet strings. Cut the strings, take back your Joy and never let it go.