Ever had something rob you of your joy? Pop your bubble? Rain on your parade?
I had this happen to me recently. I had just finished a great time of worship and I sat at my computer. First mistake.
Second mistake, I opened up a program that documented some criticism toward toward me. Worse, this was criticism that on an issue that was outside of my control.
Third mistake, I took it personally.
As I’m stewing about this turn of events while at my desk (and not playing close attention to my surroundings), I spill my Dr. Pepper all over my desk. For those of you who know me, I have a Ph.D., which for me is not only my advanced degree, but the state of my desk (Piled higher and Deeper.) It got numerous papers wet, and the 23 natural flavors also ran down into my computer keyboard. Fourth mistake.
I had allowed circumstances to temporarily rob me of my joy. However, soon after, it caused me to give thanks for the time of worship I had experienced, gratitude it didn’t ruin my whole computer, and caused my perspective to shift away from the things that caused me to temporarily lose my joy.
Warren Wiersbe talks about joy robbers in his book “Be Joyful.” Here he lists four of them.
1. Circumstances
2. People
3. Things
4. Worry
He also gives us four attitudes to maintain our joy:
1. The Single Mind (Phi1 1:21, Phil. 3:13)
2. The Submissive Mind (Phil 2:3)
3. The Spiritual Mind (Phil 3:19)
4. The Secure Mind (Phil 4:7)
Don’t let Satan rob you of your joy. I’m reminded of this every time I hit my sluggish down-arrow key on my Dr. Pepper-soaked laptop.
Interesting topic, I think the 4 “Joy Robbers” are right on. Ultimately we know that our joy when it is placed in Christ cannot be lost or taken. He is the fulfillment and end of all joy. But, we can let our joy be stolen when we get distracted by lesser things, or listen to people, the devil, and our sin. I would like to address each “Joy robber” and share a truth that disarms each.
1. Circumstances
Bad situations, and things not going to plan are very common joy robbers (maybe the most common). However, we know that God is still the same and with us in both the good and the bad. You may lose things that are good or can bring you some joy due to a bad circumstance, but Christ the foundation of our hope and joy remains. Our joy if it is Christ cannot be lost to circumstance
2. People
I think this can go two ways, people could be in opposition to us, causing strife or harm, or people can be pessimistic about our life/situations encouraging us to view it badly aswell. Specifically with the second example, I think of the biblical story of Job and how his friends reacted to his situation. They encouraged him to view it the same way they did and to curse God for the unfortunate things that had happened. Thankfully, other people do not define how we feel or view our situation (unless you let them!) So, listen to the word and your God not the voices of the enemy. Our joy in Christ cannot be lost because of other peoples opinions.
3. Things
This is a good one. The comparison epidemic is real in society, especially younger generations, and alot of this is due to social media. We also live in a consumerist world that constantly pushes the next new thing. Materialism has always been a battle and issue for humanity. Wanting things and working for them is not a bad thing, but placing our value, hope or joy in what we own is not a good idea. Its also important to note that no matter how much money someone has or what they own they could always deal with this joy robber if they let it speak. A good word to think of with all of this in mind is “contentment.” You can live content, thats not an impossible feat, but you have to fight for it and constantly remind yourself what the Bible says on this. The Word promises that God will provide all that we need, he clothes the lilies and feeds the sparrows, he can sustain you too. The Bible doesn’t promise that we will get or have all that we want or everything we think we need, but that God is always good and will give us the right things according to his plan. Our joy in Christ is not subtracted or added to based on the things we have.
4. Worry
Everyone has things on their mind they “worry” in various capacities about. But what do you do with that worry? You can be consumed by it, throwing yourself a pity party, looking to worldly answers to solve it, you could “numb” it trying to forget, or you can take it to God in prayer, seeking answers and guidance through his word. There are many legitimate things to think about and important decisions that need answers, but you do not and are never required to “worry.” God has a plan, he is in control, and no matter how bad the situation could go for you, God is still on the throne, you are still his child, and eternity in heaven is secure. Our joy in Christ cannot be lost no matter how crazy a situation can get. You don’t have to worry because you can trust that the God we serve is the creator, he loves you and he has good plans for you.
The more time you spend intentionally studying the Bible, with and serving the Church/believers, and praying, the less power and voice these “joy robbers” have in your life. I can personally testify to this. These issues are the consequence of us taking our eyes off of Christ, pray that by the Holy Spirit’s power, he will keep your eyes focused on him.
I have seen this in my own life so many times. This past summer, I was working at a summer camp. We had been having a great summer, making friends, reaching kids, and just overall doing God’s work. At the beginning of the year, I was warned about week 7; week 7 had been known through camp history as the week that everyone starts breaking down and things start going wrong. Thinking nothing of it, I got up Monday morning, got my daily assignments, and went with four of my co-workers on our golf cart to do those assignments. As I was driving the 4 of us back, I got distracted by a little string hanging right in front of me with something on the end of it… “is that a spider?” then, out of nowhere, one of my co-workers yelled “Logan!” she grabs the steering wheel and pulls it to the left saving us from the drop off next to the trail but running us straight into a tree. Two of my friends flew off the back of the cart, and the one in front hit her head on a mettle bar. They could have died… and if anything would steal my joy, it was that. As I went back over to see my boss and report what happened, I realized that my job was on the line. I sat for the rest of the day, reading my bible, praying, and fasting. This moment of horror allowed me to see Jesus in a big way and pointed me back to what was important. I ended up keeping my job but that wasn’t the only thing to go wrong that week. I ended up dropping one of my other co-workers’ phone into the lack, accidentally leading one of my best friends on and leaving me with nothing… but God. Looking back on that time that is when I truly got to know who Jesus is. In my lowest of Lows, I found my greatest Joy.
I really enjoyed reading this topic, it can be so easy for a variety of things to steal us of our joy. I know for me personally, I worry about a lot of things that most of the time, are out of my control. I really appreciated how even after the spill of your Dr. Pepper and the criticism, you mention thankfulness for giving you time of worship and that your computer wasn’t damaged. I also think the four “joy robbers” are accurate and I sometimes find myself letting these things robbing me of my joy. But with this, you also provided scripture of how we can keep an attitude of joy which was really helpful!
Your reflection really resonates. It’s so easy to let unexpected circumstances, especially those outside of our control, steal our joy. I appreciate how you walked through the thought process—acknowledging the frustration but ultimately choosing gratitude. That shift in perspective is powerful.
Wiersbe’s list of “joy robbers” is such a good reminder. So often, we think it’s the situation itself that ruins our joy, but really, it’s our response to it. The four attitudes he lists offer such a solid line of personal comparison for keeping our focus on Christ rather than our circumstances.
Your story also reminds me of James 1:2-3—considering trials as joy because they refine our faith. Even something as simple as a spilled Dr. Pepper can be a lesson in perspective, patience, and gratitude! Thanks Dr’O for sharing this reminder to guard our joy and not let the enemy have the final say.
This is kind of funny, but the point you are trying to make is an excellent reminder. I have those days too, where everything seems to go wrong and you keep finding more reasons to be upset. Those “joy robbers” seem to be everywhere, as the enemy wants to take all reasons to worship God away from us.
I love the reminder you said of the “sluggish down-arrow key on my Dr. Pepper-soaked laptop.” I think we all need one of these things: a thing that gets used on the slightly annoying regular, that reminds you of a time God showed you something. Mine is the time I was changing strings on my guitar and was trying to do it perfectly, then accidentally cut into the wood of the guitar and left a dent I can’t get rid of. I was stressed and upset that I put a dent in my guitar, but what I had to do was realize that material possessions don’t matter, and a guitar is just a guitar. Now that I have a hole there, I no longer stress about keeping my guitar perfect.
Joy has always been a word I have wrestled with. I am naturally a bubbly person so far too often I let that happiness suffice for searching out true joy. When life goes wrong- whether that be life shattering circumstances or a simple inconvenience- my happiness vanishes because it is circumstantial. In contrast, joy is the anchored peace we feel despite the joy robbers around us and in us. We draw joy from knowing truths that will not change like the goodness of God or the security of our salvation. Joy flows when we fix our eyes on Christ and keep taking the next step even though everything around us feels out of control.
I often fall prey to joy stealers, not because the truth changes but because joy robbers are distractions. They draw our eyes away from our hope and therefore our joy. However, our God is not far off and calls us to continue to lift our eyes to Him and recall His truths to mind so that we can have joy in him.
Joy is something I’ve struggled to understand in the past. Ultimately the Lord taught me that true joy can only come from him and that it’s not dependent on circumstances, whereas happiness is dependent on your circumstances. I personally experienced this last spring. I had just switched majors, lost many friends, two of my grandparents passed away, and plans I had made over the summer had completely fallen through. I felt completely helpless and like my world was falling apart. Thankfully the Lord met me where I was and was so kind to me. He reminded me that despite each of these hardships I wasn’t alone and he was walking with me through every dark valley. This allowed me to find true joy in who God is and what he’s already done for me, rather than being completely dependent on the circumstances around me. It’s definitely something I’m still learning, but I’m so thankful that we can find true joy in Christ.
I really appreciate you sharing this. I felt that on a deep level—how easily joy can be stolen in just a few minutes if we’re not careful. It’s wild how we can go from a high moment of worship, feeling totally connected and uplifted, to suddenly being pulled down by something we didn’t even see coming. Been there way too many times.
Your story about the Dr. Pepper (and the Piled higher and Deeper—that made me laugh!) is such a perfect example of how these little moments stack up. One thing goes wrong, then another, and before we know it, we’re stewing in frustration, completely missing the bigger picture. But I love how you shifted perspective. It’s like God gently reminding us, “Hey, look up.”
Wiersbe’s breakdown of joy robbers and how to guard against them hits home. Circumstances, people, things, worry—those four feel like constant threats. But then those four attitudes—Single Mind, Submissive Mind, Spiritual Mind, Secure Mind—are the shields we forget we’re carrying. Philippians really is a masterclass in keeping joy alive no matter what.
Thanks for the reminder that joy is something we choose to protect, even when the down-arrow key sticks.
I resonate with the joy robbing you. I had a great day and then something goes wrong and I take it so personally that it eats my joy away like a bag of Cheetos. The passage of Philippians 3:13 really stood out to me because I am still working on not holding onto what happened last semester when it comes to college and to keep stumbling forward because everything that happens God ordained for my life. Also, I was convicted that I don’t always think of others needs before my own especially if it will benefit them more than me. Lastly, I am seeing that I don’t always ask for God’s peace in my heart when troubles arise> Thank you for posting an writing this post.