“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

When the thief comes, joy slowly fades, prayer feels dry, and our purpose feels distant. We may start snapping at people we love. Inside, something feels drained. Jesus said there is a thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy—not always in loud, dramatic ways—often quietly. He steals joy. He kills drive. He destroys peace in relationships. Discouragement and spiritual heaviness are not just moods, they are often signs that something precious is being drained from the inside—our godly joy is being stolen. But Jesus came for the opposite reason: to give life! He brings not just survival-level life, but abundant life, full of deep peace and steadfast joy.

So why do many sincere Christians still feel dry and defeated at times? One key reason is this: we slowly drift from living for the audience of One and begin living for the audience of many. When our focus shifts to pleasing people, we will never have rest. There will always be another standard to meet and another critic to answer. But when our focus is to keep a clear conscience before Christ, something changes inside. Our anchor goes down deep.

Scripture reminds us that each person will give an account to God for their own words and actions. That means we are not the judge of others, and they are not our final judge either. Our calling is simple and freeing: walk honestly before Christ, quick to repent, quick to forgive, keeping our hearts clean. Let Jesus handle the justice part. We handle the obedience part.

There is a deep place of daily satisfaction available to a believer — but it is not found in living comforts alone. It is found in surrender and participation in God’s work. Notice something about the apostles: they rejoiced even after beatings, prison, and public shame. Paul and Silas were singing hymns while in chains in prison. They were not living for comfort — they were living for calling. They were not trying to protect their reputations — they were spending their lives for Christ’s mission. They lived for the audience of One.

Think of a rescue worker in a disaster zone. He is tired, under pressure, and the conditions are harsh. But when he pulls one person out alive, his face lights up. Why? Because purpose produces a kind of joy that comfort cannot. Meanwhile, someone sitting comfortably at home all day, scrolling endlessly and doing nothing meaningful, may feel restless and empty even though life is easy.

Purpose changes emotional energy, building a barrier protecting you from the thief. When a believer actively shares faith, encourages others, prays for people, and serves, there is an inner fulfillment that appears even if life is not outwardly smooth.

Jesus said if anyone wants to follow Him, he must deny himself and take up his cross. That sounds heavy, but in practice it is freeing, because self-centered living is actually more exhausting than surrendered living. The thief was unable to steal, kill, or destroy Jesus, because Jesus lived for the audience of One.

When you wake up each day saying, “Lord, today I live to please you alone,” decisions become clearer. Offenses become lighter. Delays become more bearable. Peace grows when focus becomes single. Live for the audience of One. Keep your conscience clear before Christ, walking in repentance and forgiveness. Serve faithfully, sharing faith, encouragement and prayer. Speak about Jesus naturally in daily conversations.

Joy is not always found in escaping pressure—often it is found in embracing calling. Abundant life is not a life with no battles—it is a life where the thief does not get the final say. And when Christ is your focus, your source, and your judge — your heart becomes steady, even when life is not.

By Santosh Chandran, Bible League International staff, New Zealand