The Joy Killers: Stress, Worry, and Fear

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With all these problems surrounding our global economies - unemployment, declining stock markets, high oil prices, declining consumer confidence, social unrest, etc. it is but natural for most of us to feel worried about our future.

Author Charles Swindoll mentioned in his book entitled “Laugh Again”, that there are three (3) common “joy stealers” in our lives. These are – stress, worry and fear.

Swindoll defined stress as an intense strain over a situation that we can’t control or change. He defined worry as an inordinate anxiety about something that may or may not occur. And fear was defined by the author as a dreadful uneasiness over danger, evil, or pain.   Most of us fail to experience true happiness because we let these “joy stealers” rule our lives. Even if we have millions in our savings account or substantial amount of life insurance coverage, we will never have peace and happiness if stress, worry, and fear enter our lives.

Swindoll suggests that we embrace the same confidence of Apostle Paul as mentioned in his letter to the Philippians (Philippians 1:6). In his letter, Paul assured the Philippians that God is in control and we can leave everything in His hands.

Let us remind ourselves to resist those “joy stealers”. We cannot control 100% of our lives; there are so many situations that are beyond our control - and we should stop worrying about it. Just continue doing the right things and allow God to do the rest. He is in control. Trust Him.