Sometimes I think we are so busy striving for more, better or higher that we forget to live where we are now. I’m not suggesting that we don’t strive for better, for ourselves and our families, but that we don’t torture ourselves by always looking for the next best thing. When we do this we are forgetting to be thankful for what God has blessed us with right now. Almost as if we are saying…"Gee thanks God, but I have better in mind." We too often take for granted the blessings that are right in front of our face because we are too busy seeking "better".
I am finding that I am not only guilty of this, but am actually battling it now. I’m not a very materialistic person and want more "things", but I often get caught up in thinking this or that should be better. To an extent I believe this is ok, but when I allow it to consume me to the point that I'm not living where I am…then it becomes a problem. I spend a lot of time thinking of what I need to fix or what I'm doing wrong and I feel that I, as well as my family, suffer from this. I'm not taking the time to enjoy who I am or what God has blessed us with.
Proverbs 17:22 (NLT) 22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.
If we are honest there are many things in all our lives that we would do better or would change, but it can be a painful thing to constantly be thinking of all that is wrong or could be better. On top of that, God wants us to live a life full of joy. The last thing this world needs is miserable Christians. We can’t be witnesses for Christ or win people over if we are walking around unhappy because we don't have more. Trust me, I do realize that we all have hardships and by no means am I saying that we shouldn't strive to do or be better for God; but in my opinion there has to be some type of median where we are still loving and enjoying what He has blessed us with.
Psalm 33:21 (NLT) 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
We have to learn to find the joy where we're at. By doing this, I believe that, we are exhibiting many great things. First, we are showing God that we are grateful for all that He has done for us. Second, we are expressing a trust in God that we know He will never leave us and that His best is truly yet to come. Finally, we are walking out a life that will show others that no matter what is going on right now there is true joy in God.
My goal is to wake each morning remembering to thank God for all His blessings and to truly stop and take a look around at how He has kept me. I realize that some things could and should be better, but I'm not going to dwell on them. If I'm focused on His goodness and living my life daily with joy and thanksgiving for Him, He will help me to change the things that need to be changed. Christ is our true joy and we have Him no matter what our current status or situation is. We need to learn to live in His love and He will guide our steps to the best instead of better.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT) 16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
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