Thank you for joining us again as we continue discussing Joyce Meyer’s audiobook,
Simplifying Your Life – Learning How To Rest.

We left off with:

Over and over in this audiobook, Joyce stresses that it does not make any difference any way – in the situations she has described or in any situation that we get upset over – so why get so worked up over it? Instead – just change your approach.

Joyce continued on by saying that we even pray wrong.

10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:10-12 NIV

Joyce said to pray something Jesus can answer that is in the will of God! She went on to say that, just like the bible says, in the world you will have tribulation, but cheer up – He has overcome the world. She says to go all the way through with God this time for victory! She suggested we pray that we are strengthened with power to bear all things, for patience, strength to go through, not for things that aggravate us to go away.

Joyce directs us to:

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV

She said she puts on the behavior to have power to endure whatever comes her way with a good attitude. It wouldn’t impress anyone if we never had any problems, but if we have similar situations and yet remain happy, peaceful in a consistent attitude – now THAT is impressive!

Let us be happy, calm, peaceful – she suggests we join in or be by ourselves in our own emotions. She talked about how misery loves company but for us not to get upset when we can’t bring someone else down. She also talked about how it makes us angry when we’re around people that are happy when we aren’t, and if this is the case, we need to change our approach.

She talked further about things that you dread. She insisted that we not start by saying negative things, but instead to have a positive attitude that we can enjoy pleasant and unpleasant tasks. Then, look forward to it and stop making ourselves more and more miserable by dreading it!

She asked if we walk in fear or faith. Do we attack projects? We can get everything in ourselves in a knot quicker than we can blink an eye!

This is another part that I paid close attention to because I have a habit of taking things on myself that are not mine to take on. I am a helper. I honestly want to help people. This is a reminder to stop … Instead, Joyce insists that we NOT take responsibility for things that we don’t need to that isn’t our business to fix. She went on to say that we feel responsible for things that aren’t our fault. Further, we have a false sense of responsibility or make ourselves responsible for what others should be doing. We are busy worrying and fixing problems that other people don’t even want fixed, and they will go out and get a problem bigger or worse! She stressed NOT to get entangled in other people’s problems.

Joyce said that we have a certain amount of grace for every day – God doesn’t give you someone else’s grace, though. So she strongly suggested for us to slow down, calm down, cheer up, be quieter, do one thing at a time, and enjoy the life Jesus came to give us!

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV

Jesus is saying that HIS peace He gives to us! Joyce says that just because He left it doesn’t mean we operate in it.

Our strength lies in rest. She said to stop allowing ourselves to be fearful, cowardly, and unsettled. Further, stop worrying!

Joyce recommended all of Psalm 37 as it is a great group of scriptures. There are reminders telling us to fret not ourselves; stop getting ourselves upset! Joyce said that circumstances don’t upset you – YOU upset yourself. That was something I needed to realize, and she made it perfectly clear!

We are to enjoy life while waiting for the breakthrough. Commit our way unto the Lord, and He will bring it to pass.

Joyce said that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. BUT, Jesus says to enjoy your life to the full until it overflows!!

Joyce shared a story about how she would get upset with her teens, and yet Dave, her husband, would just handle it as calmly as he could by referencing Galatians 6 which says that you reap what you sow. Everyone in the audience laughed. I admit that I laughed, too, when I heard this! She said Dave wouldn’t argue with the teens or go in there like she would several times. She would be mad and miserable. He would go in one time, saying one thing, and he would remain in his peace.

As Joyce concluded on her audiobook, she asked who was ready for a change. I know I am!

We have grace, mercy, and power. Allow ourselves to feel the emotions, but don’t get on board. I like that – just because we feel something does not mean that we have to jump on board and let our wild emotions take us for a destructive ride! She suggested that we stop feeding them so they lose their strength! Further she advised us to say no to wild emotions and yes to God’s spirit so control becomes less and less from the enemy.

Last but not least — and CERTAINLY the most important — bring it all before the Cross to learn to live differently!

Thank you so much for joining us as we discussed Joyce Meyer’s audiobook. We absolutely LOVE Joyce Meyer and how God has gifted her to bless the world by telling them of Him.

Blessings to you and yours,
~Shirley
Light, Love, Hope