I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your

concern for me.  Indeed you have been concerned but you

had no opportunity to show it.  I am not saying this because

I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever

my circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and

I know what it is to have plenty. 

I have learned the secret of being content in any and

every situation.

Philippians 4:11-12

 

If we really search our hearts today, most of us can say

to a good measure we are not very happy.  We can

present an outward appearance of it.  We can pretend

to all of our Christian friends.  But when we are alone in

our quiet times, the secret pain and hurts and longings

in our heart come out, and we recognize and acknowledge it.

It is there, and it hurts! We are lonely, and bruised.

 

I think we could learn some lessons from Paul about this.

Paul wrote this letter from prison.  (the book of Philippians)

Certainly a challenging place to keep your spirits up.  Yet this letter was full

of the words joy and rejoice.  Paul discovered a secret.

Happiness does not come from our circumstances

or from other people.  Happiness comes from

allowing God's peace to fill us regardless of our circumstances.

 

I also think we need to do some mental homework.

Because of the media blitz of all the things that

are supposed to make us happy:

possessions, money, power, a great body, sex,

fun vacations, perfect health.  That can be

depressing for people that have none of the above.

And most people don't have most of the above.

The point is.. we are trying to live up to the world's

expectations of what should make us happy.  And we

look at all that, and say, well I don't have that, and

so I cannot be happy.

 

Yet, I have read book after book about people in

unbelievably sad circumstances finding total peace

within themselves.  Because they learned to surrender

every bit of the worry to God.  They did not allow

their circumstances to drag them down, they mentally

and spiritually rose above their circumstances.

 

I remember so many books By Corrie Ten Boom, whom I

personally admire greatly.  She survived a death camp

in Germany where she had been interred from helping

Jews escape to freedom.  She lost her father and sister there,

and went through terrible, ungodly hardships.  Yet

she unwaveringly had a good attitude, and talked

about God and witnessed.  I recount one story of

years after she got out of the camp, she was going

around the world telling her story, and telling

of the grace of God.  And as she entered a church

a man came up to shake hands with her, and

she recognized him as one of the guards from the

death camp.  And I am sure her heart stopped within her,

and She wanted to be so angry at him, and God told

her she must forgive Him.  And it was so hard

for her to reach out and take his hand.  But the moment

she did, she forgave him, and felt such a release within

her heart.  God had done a miracle for Her and this

man that so many years ago had tortured people, and

now was humbled and had found the Lord as his savior.

Corrie often said, there is no pit so deep that God's love

is not deeper still.

 

My friends, if you on a daily basis are expecting others

to rescue you or fix things for you or make you happy,

you will never be happy.

 

If you are expecting money, power, physical things

or the things of this world to bring you happiness

you will be disappointed.  They are worthless in

the long scheme of things.  They do not bring inner

satisfaction.  Their pleasure is brief.

 

If you think there is one perfect love in this world

who will make everything OK, you will be sad.

For each person, although a gift to us, and each

person brings some special joy to our lives, cannot

fill all of our needs.  So each person we enjoy,

and savor what we do receive from them, and we

find peace in that.  Don't have unreasonable

expectations.  Just love them.  And let them

love you.  And if at times they cannot be what you

need, just remember all the times that they were

there for you.

 

Instead of spending your days, remembering

all you have lost, focusing on your pain and hurt,

and thinking sad things.

 

Why not take a fresh look around you,

and appreciate what you do have!

 

Because if you do not, life is going to pass you by,

and you are not going to be happy one day of that life.

 

Because all you spent your time on was your sadness.

 

Life is not just about being happy,

it is about learning to be content with what we

have, learning to minister to others, and learning

to make peace with whatever circumstances we find ourselves

in.  If Paul can be persecuted and in prison, and find

something to be joyful about.  Why can you and I not

find something to be joyful about each day?

 

Recognize that happiness does not depend on

your circumstances, it depends on your focus.

If you continually feast on sad thoughts,

your dinner will be sad thoughts.

If you fill your life, with being thankful for

what you do have, and loving people,

your dinner will be peace.

 

It is simply that easy. It is a mental choice.

You are given that fresh choice each morning,
to savor the day, or to fill it with sadness.
Choose to rise above your circumstances
and find happiness in the gift of a new day
and the blessings that you DO have.

When you reach the end of your rope
you will find the hem of His garment.

I have often felt that many things that bring us to our knees,
teach us while we are down there to learn to pray.

These possibilities are open to everyone. 
Don't tell God you are not good enough, do what He asks.
Don't tell God to send someone else, He asked you.
Don't tell God you don't have time to pray, He said seek me first.
Don't neglect the things of God.  He said we are to
pick up His cross daily and follow Him. 
Don't tell God anything is bigger than His ability.
God is the Great I Am, I am whatever you need.

There is no pit so deep, God's love is not deeper still.

Not my will but thine oh Lord.

´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·°°´·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°

Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God