Most people pursue happiness trying to make their lives better. Many people mistake having the right material possessions or lots of money or good looks or power or status as the keys to being happy. But all you need to do is look at magazines or newspapers to see famous, rich, good-looking, powerful people that are still not happy. Think about Elvis or Heath Ledger or Brad Pitt or Princess Diana or Michael Jackson. They get addicted to drugs or alcohol, divorced multiple times, are depressed, estranged from their families. Some even commit suicide or die from an overdose of drugs. Why didn’t all those things that our culture says will make them happy work for them? In fact they found those things empty and were very unhappy. We need to realize that happiness is frequently very transient. Whatever you are seeking, is it enough? Will it satisfy?
Joy is much better than happiness because it doesn’t depend on external circumstances. Joy comes from within. You can see it in a person’s face and body language. You might sing “Joy to the world” at Christmas, but have you experienced that joy yourself?
Where to find peace?
Peace eludes many people. Their souls feel troubled much of the time. They try to drown their lack of peace with alcohol or drugs or activity or devotion to a cause. But that is only denial.
They may be anxious because of the economy or a job. Often there are battles within one’s own family. Why is it that most marriages end in divorce? There is always plenty to worry about: politics, environment, global warming, famines in Africa, natural disasters, wars and so on.
Even those who “have it all”, our media idols, with beautiful homes, fame, exotic cars, world travel, experience only brief periods of satisfaction. Real peace must come from the inside. Inner peace is there no matter what. People who have it know their future is secure. They don’t worry about things that other people do and things that are out of their control. They know where to go to for refuge and hope. They weather the storms of life with strength. They are able to be a rock of strength and discipline to others. They live their lives as they should. If you want peace, and almost every human does, go to the source of peace, the prince of peace, and get your fill.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
— Isaiah 9:6 (about 700BC)
Some people connect with God because of sickness, addiction, broken heart, or some other difficulty. They tried a life without peace, full of anxiety, depression, anger, hurt, insecurity. They tried self-help books, therapists, friends, family. None of these provided the relief or peace they sought. But not everyone finds God through need.
Others connect with God through success, after finding it empty. Robert had it all: good looks, fitness, respect, a beautiful wife, sweet young daughters, a very nice sports car, and a new spacious home. He was wildly successful in his profession, which paid well and placed him and his family in Germany for many years. His friends and peers would come to him, slap him on the back and congratulate him each time he was selected for a promotion or special training or a new assignment. But there were only a few times when he really felt happy or content. Anyone who looked at him would say, “he has it all”, and he did according to most people. But there was something missing in his life. He could feel it. It was palpable. He was seeking peace through power, looks, money, success, position. These can sometimes bring temporary happiness, but they don’t satisfy or bring true peace. Finally he found peace (and joy and love) when he found Jesus Christ. God designed us for a relationship with Him and only that brings true peace.
God of Covert Operations: How to See a Secret God
There is another aspect of the question of suffering and the existence of God. One might wonder why an all-powerful God does not make His existence more obvious. Where is God when you need Him? Is He really all-powerful? Is He really a God of love? Why doesn’t God intervene? …
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If you are one of those people who think you are good enough to go to heaven, here are a few things to consider: (1) If heaven is a place of perfection how can anyone be sure they are good enough? Most of us have regrets, mistakes we have made …
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Now that I am older, I look back on my life with more of a reflexive or philosophical point of view. We can’t go back and make changes, but I really, really, really wish that I had become a Jesus follower very early on. They were wasted years when I …