Are you ready to tap out?

That's right I'm talking about submission. You see in wrestling or other forms of fighting one opponent will put strain on the joints of the other opponent in order to get him to submit defeat. It is a very powerful and strategic tactic. In fact the biggest winner in the Ultimate Fighting Championship uses Brazilian Jujitsu which is noting but grappling for submission holds. So think about this what are you submitting to?

Life is a wrestling match. People don't do what they should. Circumstances are the worst. You have the world trying to put you in a arm bar and wrenching it as hard as it can. There is constantly something that can steal your joy and make you feel defeated. So are you submitting to life or are you submitting to God?

Think about it. Make your plans, and submit them to God. Say this is what I would like to accomplish today, but God I know your in control. Whatever comes today I will stay in peace knowing that you are directing my steps. Then when life comes against you you have already submitted. You have tagged your partner and he is in the ring for you.

Remember this, there are hundreds of places that the Scripture states that no one can steal your Joy if your a Christian. No one can force you to get upset, but how is this possible?

The first key is to take responsibility for your own happiness. There are excuses everywhere. I could be happy if my job didn't suck. I could be happy if this person did what they where suppose to. Well guess what you have the strength to handle it. God will never let you go through a situation that you cannot handle.

John 14:27 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.

Next key. Learn you don't have to have your way to be happy. I mean seriously grow up. Your not three years old. Even my two year old can find something to make her happy even if she doesn't get her way.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Be joyful always;

Paul never prayed to get people out of situations. He prayed that God would give them the strength to get through it with a good attitude.

Next key. Don't wait for other people to change. Change yourself. It's simple even businesses have this one down. It's called controlling the controllables. You can't control other people. Even God doesn't control other people. He gave us free will. You can't change people, you can encourage them. Some people don't want to be joyful or happy, they won't make the right choices so they just stay defeated. You have to be the one to bear the fruit. That's right Joy is a fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Notice that Joy is right after love. If love is the greatest commandment, then joy would be the second. Are you starting to get the picture that it's important?

Let me give you a example. In my current situation there is something major coming up this week. I learned something major last week. There where things that where physically making me sick to my stomach. None of this is in my control. Instead of laying in bed, I got up and went to Church and had a great morning. I was lying here thinking and instead of feeding the situation with worry. I decided to type this message and I'm feeling joyus. You see I'm not in control but God is. I am going though the roughest point of my life but I can see where God is guiding me and I am right where I'm suppose to be. His miracles just keep coming. He has something better for me. So why have I gone on this long winded blog?

1 John 1:4
We write this to make our joy complete.

Each day is a gift from God. Make changes now before you waste years without joy and peace. Submit to God so that he is directing your steps so that you can live the life of victory that God has in store for you.

I make this a prayer for each one of you.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.