I was startled when a woman wrote, "It takes commitment to be filled with joy. In fact, it takes the dedication of your whole life." My first reaction was, "Isn't joy something that God just gives you?

But, as I thought about it, I realized she was right; it does take dedication and commitment to live a joyful life. Why? Because it's so easy to be ruled by the tyranny of our moods! Before we know it, the "I-don't-feel-like-its" can ruin your prayer life, praise life and fruitfulness.

What about you? Have you gone to bed tonight completely dominated by one mood or another...so "wound up" that you can't get to sleep...so low that you never want to get up again? If so, God wants to give you a precious gift tonight. He wants to give you a new attitude toward overcoming these moods. He wants you to welcome them as opportunities to take control, His way.

Remember that learning to rule and reign with Jesus starts with learning to "rule" our own souls! Jesus promises, "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life...He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death...To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna...I will give authority over the nations...I will make a pillar in the temple of my God...He who overcomes will inherit all this..." (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:12; 21:7, NIV)

Heavenly Father, forgive me for being ruled by my moods. Grant me the strength to be a mighty overcomer so that, having learned to rule the emotions of my soul, I might be of great use to You in guiding and leading others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.