A Counterpunch of JOY in the Lord!

     Have you had you Joy Juice today? It's just what we need today...and every day to keep us from giving up!

     We all have those days when discouragement starts to set in! Often we are tired and are carrying a heavy burden. We've done everything we know to do and things still don't seem to be getting any better. We may feel like "throwing in the towel".
   

What does it mean to "throw in the towel"? This expression was derived from the sport of boxing. When a boxer is suffering a beating and is ready to stop the fight, he literally throws in the towel to indicate that he is admitting defeat!

             Do you ever feel as if you are in a boxing match? Well, YOU ARE! We all are in a battle with a determined opponent....Satan.  And you better believe, he's got on  his boxing gloves!

     Scripture tells us in Ephesians 6:12 (New Living Translation, 2007) "for we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."

        In His letter to the Ephesians, Paul was warning believers that our enemies are NOT the people we can see.... those with whom we get angry and irritated and feel like punching in the breadbasket! Our real enemy is the one we cannot see! So instead of taking our frustrations out on other people (even when we really think they deserve it), let's remember that the devil wants to cause dissension and division. Let’s pray for God to empower us so that we will not “throw in the towel”.

     When you sense that a boxing match is brewing, step out of the ring and get on your knees in prayer. Give the enemy a counterpunch of JOY in the Lord!