Not Your Typical Church Lady: Who Killed Joy?

It was a classic murder-mystery of Agatha Christie proportions. When we left the room she was alive and vibrant. When we walked back in a moment later, there she was, face down on the floor. The question is: Who killed Joy?

The usual suspects were rounded up for questioning. Anger vehemently insisted that if he had done it, it would have caused quite an obvious scene. There would have been screaming and fighting and a wide path of destruction. Anger also pointed out that he's usually too hot headed to go back and clean up the evidence.

Fear went into a full blown anxiety attack and needed sedated. Upon further investigation it was discovered that Fear had an alibi. When Joy was killed, Fear was at home being visited by Stress, who had brought over some chocolate and a romantic comedy for them to watch. Footage from neighboring security cameras showed that neither of them left the house until later that evening.

Disgust rolled her eyes and flared her nostrils. "Whatever," she said. "Joy was not my favorite, but I wouldn't have killed her. I'd have just continued to ignore her."

Surprise screamed when he found out Joy was dead. Sadness sobbed the whole way through the interview. Bewilderment wasn't sure what we were even talking about. It was becoming clear that this was going to be a tough case.

Who would have a motive to kill Joy? She was so perky and positive. Who doesn't like perky and positive? Disgust suggested that perhaps it was someone who hadn't had their coffee yet. Anger nodded in agreement. That still didn't seem to be a good enough reason, there was no substance.

Common Sense reminded us that in mystery novels it is usually the person we least suspect. Everyone turned and looked at Trust. "It wasn't me," Trust said. "I spent the day with Responsibility paying bills and cleaning the house."

"It's true," said Responsibility. "We hardly stopped to take a break."

"Did you notice anything out of the ordinary while you were cleaning?" asked Common Sense, "maybe we could find some clues."

"Joy did seem slightly deflated around lunch time." said Responsibility.

"She should have had some corn chips with salsa and sour cream. That usually cheers her up." Stress chimed.

It was then that we noticed the slightest movement in the shadows. "Who's that?" shrieked Surprise.

All heads turned. There in the dimly lit corner stood Joy's evil twin brother, Bitterness. "Gasp!" said Sarcasm, "I never saw that coming."

"Hush up Sarcasm, now's not the time!" yelled Anger. "Bitterness – it was YOU!"

Bitterness smiled a disturbing smile. "Yes, and Disappointment helped. We squashed Joy like a bug. We overpowered her with a relentless barrage of negativity until there was no Joy left."

I don't know about you, but Joy gets killed at my house on a weekly basis. The good news is, she can be regenerated and it doesn't take too long. Our Sunday school class has been studying Philippians (with Max Lucado) and the following verse has become my personal focal point to help keep Joy alive:

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things" (Philippians 4:8, NIV).

This verse has been in my mind since childhood but has recently resurfaced and has been popping up everywhere. When I begin to go down the road to bitterness, I say this verse in my head. It reminds me to focus on the good and not dwell on the bad. If we think of things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable, we feel better all around.

Another question that stays in my mind from our study of Philippians is "How would you be different, what would you do differently, if you decided to live each day gripped by the reality that you are a citizen of heaven?"

When we start to think of ourselves that way, it changes our perspective on certain things. It has helped me to let bitterness behind and go forth with gladness. It has certainly increased joy and gratitude. With joy and gratitude comes forgiveness. It is just a small simple thing, but has such a big wide ripple effect.

If we let bitterness stay with us, it will ruin us. It will ruin our families and our lives. Bitterness is not someone you want staying at your house on a regular basis. Bitterness is a silent serial killer who does not allow forgiveness. It's sneaky too because it feels so good to be bitter sometimes that we want to keep him around. Drugs feel good too but look what they do to a person. No, don't let Bitterness hang out with you, he's a bad influence.

If bitterness has been lurking around, write down Philippians 4:8 somewhere. Read it often throughout the day. Memorize it. Concentrate on it. Let it become engrained in your mind and when bitterness tries to sneak in, think of things that are excellent and praiseworthy. Live each day "gripped by the reality that you are a citizen of heaven."