Our environment carries with it many different things. If we find ourselves unprepared and unaware, the things on the outside can find their way on the inside. When that happens, what is in us will bubble up and come out of us. So we have to be sure to condition ourselves properly so that we are better able to deal with our outside environments. Contending for our joy includes conditioning ourselves in such a way that we can handle what comes at us. This way, no matter what we encounter we are prepared to meet it, deal with it and maintain our joy. uniquelifechurch.org