March 18, 2026 Discussion Summary:

Reference: Swift, Doris (2023). Surrender the Joy Stealers. Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.

Bible verses referenced: Psalm 91, John 15:4, Ephesians 5:13, Exodus 2:11-15, 2 Samuel 13, Luke 19:1-10, Matthew 9:20-22, John 15:5-6, Isaiah 5:4-6

This summary is for self-study at home if you were not able to attend the meeting.

1. Read Psalm 91 adding your name and allowing each verse to guide you in prayer.

2. Read John 15:4 Ask yourself where do I want to be?

3. Write down the things in your life that come to mind when you think of “joy stealers”; what robs you of the joy in life? It can be one or multiple things.

4. How do each of the following passages apply to the statements below? These are directly from the referenced material, page 5.

   ____ The threat to my joy is something I have done. (Read Exodus 2:11-15)

   ____The threat to my joy is something that has been done to me. (Read 2 Samuel 13)

   ____The threat to my joy is something God can help me change. (Read Luke 19:1-10

   ____The threat to my joy is something only God can change. (Read Matthew 9:20-22)

5. Did reading these passages change your perspective on your own joy stealers?

6. Read Ephesians 5:13; Identify your threats and bring them out into the light.

7. John 15:5-6; These questions are directly from the material reference page 7.

   What did we learn about our role as a branch in verse 5?

   What do we learn about the verse 6 branches?

   Who is the true vine John 15:1 speaks of?

   Who is the vinedresser in John 15:1

   Think about a gardener. When a gardener works in the garden, they are constantly getting rid of the weeds. In this instance I believe the weeds of our lives are our joy stealers. The author, Doris Swift writes “We as a branch are brought into community with Jesus, the life giving vine, and the vine dresser, our loving Father, who prunes us by hand, cutting back whatever produces less fruit in us, so in due time, he can produce abundant fruit”. Page 7 “When God does the pruning, we can trust it is for our good”. Page 8 Read Isaiah 5:4-6

8. Record references to fruit, pruning, and devastation of the land.

April 14, 2026 Discussion Summary:

Reference: Swift, Doris (2023). Surrender the Joy Stealers. Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.

Bible verses referenced: Psalm 63:8, Psalm 45:9, Genesis 48 13-19, Ephesians 1:19-21, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 16:11

This summary is for self-study at home if you were not able to attend the meeting. I do encourage you to attend if you are able to experience first hand the discussion and connection with your sisters in Christ.

“When putting our emotions into perspective, we need not to be subject to them, nor bow down to them. When we bow down to our emotions, they can become idols in our lives, and before we know it, we’re falling into the sin-trap the enemy set for us. When we allow anger to dominate us, fear to paralyze us, worry to overcome us, and shame to isolate us, in essence, we’re placing them before God in our lives instead of bringing them before God on our knees”. Page 11 of the reference.

1. List any emotions you are currently feeling.

2. Analyze the cause of those emotions and try to identify the foundation for those emotions.

3. Pray about it. Seek Counsel from a Godly professional if needed.

As we grow older we reflect on our lives. The good and the bad memories.

1. Think about a good childhood memory. How does that memory make you feel?

2. Think about a bad childhood memory. How does that make you feel?

3. Think about a good memory from your early adult years. How does that make you feel?

4. Think about a bad memory from your early adult years. How does that make you feel?

5. Now do the same for your current season in life. How do these memories make you feel?

Surrendering negative memories to God will be effective in strengthening your emotional well being. Why is emotional well being important. Because God does not intend for us to wallow in our bad memories and allow those bad memories to effect our emotions and in turn negatively impact your family, friends, work life, relationships with neighbors, or your relationship with God.

“God holds our hands through every hard experience and relives every hard experience with us so the healing process can begin”. Page 14 reference

Fill in the blanks below from Psalm 34:18

The Lord is ____________ close to the ___________________and _______________ the ______________ in spirit.

Be aware of your emotions. “Negative emotions are red-flag warning signs. Just like smoke detectors warn us of fire, negative emotions warn us we’re heading down a possible path of destruction”. Page 15 reference.

Read Psalm 16:11

References to Emotions in the bible can be found in Romans 5:8, Isaiah 62:5, Psalm 135:14, Psalm 7:11, Proverbs 6:16, Matthew 26:38, and John 11:35. Read each verse and see for yourself the emotions attributed to God in each one.

“Healthy emotions help us feel something; Negative emotions help us reveal something”. Page 19 reference