Where do we find our happy when storms are raging all around us? How do we overcome the aching that follows the death of someone we love? Where do we go when the sting of divorce has left us reeling? When guilt and shame threaten to overtake us? It isn’t easy, but it IS POSSIBLE.
Psalm 144:15 says “happy are the people whose God is the Lord.” I think of happiness as a state of contentment and inner peace. While it may be impossible to feel happy ALL the time, we can learn to redirect our thoughts, turn our eyes to Jesus, and practice gratitude.
When you are in the pit of despair, get up, get dressed, and get on with it. You won’t feel like it; do it anyway. Allow yourself to grieve, to cry, to scream if you need to. Just don’t live there! “…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Next, learn to take your eyes off your problems and look to the One who created you. “I lift my eyes to the mountains; where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1) That is so powerful. My help comes from the LORD. Let that sink in.
Finally, be grateful. Refuse to let what has been lost rob you of everything beautiful that remains. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15) It is difficult to be anything but happy when you are focused on your blessings!
If you have never faced sadness, odds are you will. Of this, however, I am certain: you and I have a Savior who loves us and the peace and joy that comes from Him really does surpass all understanding. It defies our circumstances and spits in the face of the devil.
If you are fighting a battle, take heart because there is HOPE. You are a child of the King. Hit your knees and give it to God. THEN, get up, get dressed, and get on with it!
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I hope you were blessed by Tisha’s post today. She is right–it is difficult to be anything but happy when you are focused on your blessings. Have a wonderful week and make plans to spend some quiet time reading God’s word.
Blessings & Hugs!
This is part three of a four part series on Happiness and appeared first on Peacefully Imperfect.
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