Happiness in Jesus

PC: Rudi Roels

Have you ever just been going throughout your day, and suddenly a song pops into your mind for no reason in particular? It could be one of your favorite songs, something you heard as a child, or perhaps it could even be that really annoying jingle from that one commercial that repeats itself over and over and over in your head for days... 

Well, recently as I have been going throughout my days at work and at home or while driving my car, encouraging lines from songs or hymns have been popping in my mind (or verses I memorized as a child and haven't read for a while). As I sat in my living room this evening, reading about improving aspects of physical health, the song "Happiness is the Lord" came to my mind. I had forgotten some of the words so I looked it up and it really encouraged me. I'll share it with you in case you don't know the song:

- Happiness Is the Lord - 

Happiness is to know the Savior,

Living a life within His favor,

Having a change in my behavior,

Happiness is the Lord.

Chorus: 

Real joy is mine, 

No matter if teardrops start;

I've found the secret- 

It's Jesus in my heart.

Happiness is a new creation,

"Jesus and me" in close relation,

Having a part in His salvation--

Happiness is the Lord.

Happiness is to be forgiven,

Living a life that's worth the livin',

Taking a trip that leads to heaven,

Happiness is the Lord.

Sometimes I think we all question why we can't be happy like everyone else? I think when we question this it is easy to become perplexed as to what is wrong with us when the answer is actually really simple. I can't be happy like everyone else because I am not everyone else. I can't be happy like everyone else, because unfortunately in this sin-sick world, many people are actually not that happy (ever heard 'fake it til you make it'?). I can't be happy like everyone else who has everything because materialistic things and my own efforts cannot make me happy. I can be happy like Jesus wants me to be though, and the truth is that my happiness and joy needs to come from Him alone. 

Let me break it down further for you:  Me + me/stuff = not happy. Me + Jesus = really happy. 

But back to the song...the message is so wonderfully, amazingly true, and something I wish everyone could internalize. Happiness is not found in what we do each day, what we wear, what accessories or gadgets we have, how popular we are, what school we went to, what car we drive, or who we know...happiness is only found in Jesus and having a close relationship with Him. Of course, I am a Christian and I have known this all my life, right? False! I've known this "in theory" for a while now but oh if I had really realized that and had it ingrained to my core as a child or teenager, I could have skipped out on many a difficult time and heartache. Only now, in January 2016, now as an almost-25-year-old, am I starting to really grasp what true happiness in Christ is. Is my relationship with Him perfect and am I happy all the time? Not at all. But it's a work in progress and thankfully God never gives up on me. I will never be happy without Him, I will only be sad and feel empty. 

  

But it's not all about me, it's about you, too. You can have hope, joy, pure happiness, contentment, and feel meaning and fullness in your life also--you can't do it yourself of course, and your worldly treasures will never bring these gifts to you, but God can help you gain and maintain these wonderful, meaningful life-long, everlasting treasures. This is how some people in bad situations can be happy despite the circumstances. Basically, you + Jesus = really happy! He will be your best friend, but you also have to make an effort to be His friend. Take time for Him and I assure you He will bless you in wonderful and extraordinary ways. 

May we all strive to know the Savior more. <3

There Will Be Joy

Pain. It comes in varying forms, but in recent times, mental and emotional pain are what come to the forefront of my mind. These are inflicted by the evil one—the devil—satan. Pain can be draining and it clouds the lenses through which individuals view life. As a result, life can seem hopeless, and people can feel helpless. The question is all to often asked, “How can things ever get better?”
 
The beautiful thing is, things can certainly get better, and there is always hope. The most wonderful hope of all, the joy that we can experience as we learn to trust God. He is a loving Father, a faithful Friend, a kind Companion, full of grace and all things good. How His heart must be saddened as He sees His beloved ones suffering, dejected, and hurt by the harsh conditions of this sinful world. He loves us and wants to make us happy, healthy, and whole again.
 
The Bible is filled to the brim with promises and stories of how God has given humanity hope and the opportunity for happiness. His sacrifice and death on the cross for us is perhaps the deepest and most profound example of how He desires to fill us with hope and give us joy and peace.  He saw humanity’s condition even before its existence, and He made a way for His loved ones—you and me—to experience hope, joy, and an abundant life (John 10:10). 

To the hurting ones: Don’t despair, and don’t give up. Pain is only temporary. The Bible promises that joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).  People will fail us, and they will hurt us, but God never will. He is constant in goodness and He never changes. He loves without exception and He wants to give each one good things without holding anything back (Matt. 7:11).
 
Talk to Him about what is on your heart; be encouraged today. <3

Happy Birthday To Me...

Today is my 23^rd birthday. 

It’s been a quiet day, which has gotten me thinking about my life over the last few years. I look back and see just how far I have come in the last year of my life, never mind the other 22 years before that.

I’ll admit it, there have been times I have felt alone, confused, discouraged, and times I have wanted to give up. There have even been some times that I truly questioned God and His plan for me. I sometimes wondered why He has put a plan in place that doesn’t suit my particular tastes or desires.

I may see Him clearly leading, but sometimes it’s just easier (in theory), to put up a fight and see if I can get my own way.

But you know what? I realized something…that’s not easy, and it doesn’t work. It just exhausts one—spiritually, mentally, emotionally, even physically. There’s no saying I’ll never do it again, but I surely can see it’s not the easy way out.

  

Today is a new day of life, however, in more than one way I suppose.

  

I’m thankful to God that He has brought me through some very difficult things to the place where I am today. I still may not find ultimate joy all the time, and I still have a lot of growing to do, but I want to trust that as I go into my 23^rd year of life that God will continue to go with me and make His plan clearer. I hope that I will gain strength and courage and be a blessing to others.

I guess I could be reminded of these things any other time of the year, but a birthday is a good opportunity, and especially to remember God’s love for me, as well as the others around me! 

Trusting His Plans

If God leads you to it, He will lead you through it.

I have to keep reminding myself of that reassuring fact as I push my way through my nursing classes each quarter. It is easy to get stressed, discouraged, and want to give up at times. I experienced this recently, but God wasn't willing to let me give up that easily. I realized that I wasn't the one who worked things out to be able to be in the position I am in--it was all God's doing, up until the very last detail, and therefore I needed to trust His plan for my life. I am just a weak human, how do I know what is best for me? I never knew why He brought me to Walla Walla, but He has me here for a reason, and I think I am starting to catch little glimpses of what that might be. It's exciting! 

It's only recently that I embraced this thought, however. Just a few weeks ago, my agenda seemed to be quite the opposite. 

I tried escaping. God closed the doors before I could.
I made excuses. God brought me conviction.
I was confused. God put the right people in my path at just the right moment, to ask me questions that ultimately cleared things up in my own mind. 
I contradicted myself. God opened my eyes to the reality of my situation.
I had forgotten why I began in the first place. God reminded me. 

Without the reassurance of His guidance, it is sometimes easy for fear to grip the very heart. But why fear when He is so indubitably involved? I have decided and determined in my own heart and mind that what I am doing is ultimately for God and His greater glory. If I can become a nurse and just impact one person's life, I think it will all be worth it. 

I am excited to see what He is going to do, and how He will prepare me to work for Him as a nurse, or wherever He leads beyond that--this is not just for me, I submit that it is His career. "Whatever is to be done at His command may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings" (COL p. 333).

Rest

John 3:30

It's Friday evening...Sabbath...rest....

It's thanksgiving break...rest....

At this moment I am overwhelmed with the greatness, kindness, love, mercy and patience of my precious Jesus. This quarter at school has been rough, but even though it has seemed unbearable at moments, God is seeing me through, ushering me all the way through. 

God is just so amazing and I don't know how I could live without Him. 

Thankfully I don't have to. 

Be blessed this weekend and as thanksgiving is coming up, remember all that God has done for you and all the ways (even if not obvious) that He is working in your very life.

Happy Sabbath! 

‎"Remember this. If you have made mistakes, you certainly gain a victory if you see these mistakes and regard them as beacons of warning. Thus you turn defeat into victory, disappointing the enemy and honoring your Redeemer." {COL 332}

✝ ✝ ✝

Sabbath Sweetness

Sab·bath [sab-uhth] noun - 

The seventh day of the week, Saturday...a day of rest.

This week was crazy, and stressful, and tiring...and just when I feel as if I can't take it anymore, I find myself blessed with a day of REST, the sweet Sabbath! May you each feel God's presence particularly near to you on this day (and always, but Sabbath is extra special)!

Genesis 2:2-3, "And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made."