joyfully ever after

"And they all lived happily ever after."  

But real life isn't that simple, is it?  

This is no fairy tale.  There's no use in pretending.  Life is difficult.  Here in the "real world," we can't find that kind of endless happy bliss, can we?  Well, yes and no.  Someday, in heaven, we'll know that perfect peace and happiness.  But as long as we're on this earth, and until we reach eternity's shore, we'll never experience perfect happiness until we finally see Jesus face to face.  But that doesn't mean we can't be joyful here on earth.  In fact, the Bible has a lot to teach us about finding true contentment and joy.  

In 2012, I began the journey of memorizing the book of Philippians.  Through my personal study, I've been so challenged and convicted, particularly about what this book has to say about contentment.

I'm especially moved by Philippians 4:11-13.  Keep in mind that the Apostle Paul was writing this during his long and harsh imprisonment in Rome:

"Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

Paul was in prison when he wrote that!  What I find interesting is that Paul writes that he learned to be content.  His contentment clearly wasn't found in the things he had or the comfort of his surroundings.  

So what is contentment?  I realize that contentment isn't a formula, but from digging deeper in God's Word, I've made a list of five things that I think capture what it means to be content.  Real contentment means...

1. Trusting that God knows what is best for us.

2. Accepting the obstacles as opportunities to serve and glorify God.

3. Finding joy in the presence of our Savior, no matter our circumstances.

4. Choosing to live with an attitude of cheerfulness and joy each day.

5. Thanking God for both the blessings and the trials.

Let's take a closer look at each of these.

Contentment means trusting that God knows what is best for us.  His plans are better than ours.  Where He has you right now is where He wants you to be.  God loves you dearly and He has your best interests in mind.  He knows your every need and desire.

Philippians 4:19 - "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

Contentment means accepting the obstacles as opportunities to serve and glorify God.  So many times, we let things - even little things - get us down.  We complain and grumble when things don't go our way.

Philippians 2:14 says - "Do all things without grumbling or disputing."

All things.  Yes, even dishes, chores, homework, all those unglamorous, small tasks that no one sees should be done without complaining or arguing, but with gratefulness and joy.  What a God-glorifying lifestyle that would be!  And what a humbling challenge...
Whether the obstacles we face are as small as doing the dishes or as enormous as the pain of a searing loss, God calls us to face all things without grumbling.  We must learn to see the obstacles as opportunities in disguise.

Contentment means finding joy in the presence of our Savior, no matter our circumstances.  JESUS IS OUR JOY.  We can only find true joy and contentment in Him, the Author of Peace and Creator of Joy.

I love Psalm 16:11 - "You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore."

True joy and contentment are only found in the source of joy, our ever-present Savior Jesus Christ.  No matter what challenges I face, even if everything else is taken from me, I'll still have Jesus, and He is enough.  He is more than enough.  

Contentment means choosing to live with an attitude of cheerfulness and joy each day.  Joy is a choice.  It's a lifestyle.  Joy and happiness are two very different things. Happiness is a feeling based on circumstances; joy is living above our circumstances.  Joy isn't dependent upon our current situation.  We have to learn to consciously choose joy every day.  Have you ever noticed that many people in the Bible often said, "I will rejoice"?  They said that because they realized that they had to consciously choose to rejoice even when their circumstances looked bad.

And finally, contentment means thanking God - for both the blessings and the trials.  It's not hard to delight in God's goodness and praise Him when life is entertaining and easy.  But what about when we face the hardships of life?  I think we all want a lasting, unwavering joy, not just surging and sinking happiness.  The secret to contentment is a heart saturated with thankfulness.  It's a lifestyle of taking nothing for granted, giving thanks to God for what you have.

Every day is a gift....and an opportunity.  Let's choose to rejoice in each new day.

Psalm 118:24 - "This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Let's not waste this day grumbling or complaining.  Let's not take a moment for granted.  Today, let's trust in God's plan, embrace the challenges, find joy in His love for us, and choose to live this day with an attitude of cheerfulness and thanksgiving.

Life isn't easy, and it's not a fairy tale.  But the truth is, we can all live joyfully ever after.

Out of the Heart

Too often, I say something that I later regret.  Perhaps it’s something hastily snapped, or selfish, or even just tactlessly sarcastic.  Even if I don’t say it out loud, I may say or think something unkind under my breath.  

In those times, the Spirit gently reminds me that the words I say can cut deeper than any sword.  My tongue is a fire which I must guard, hold captive, and learn to use carefully.

But it goes deeper than that.  Our words are a reflection of who we are, of what is inside of us:

“For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.” –Matthew 12:34

Just stop and let that sink in.  The mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. So what we say is a reflection - and a literal outpouring - of what is in our hearts.  Perhaps the question we should be asking then is:  What is in our hearts?  If we know Jesus, the Holy Spirit dwells inside our hearts.  But does the way we speak show people that Jesus is in us?

We can use our words to honor and worship God, or to honor and worship ourselves.  We can use our words to heal, encourage, and build up, or to wound, tear down, and destroy those around us.

I love James 3, a chapter that's all about speech.  James 3:17 beautifully encompasses every aspect of how our speech should look as followers of Christ.  This verse about heavenly wisdom is a constant reminder to me to use my mouth to glorify God at all times.

"The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy." (James 3:17)

I want to always speak in wisdom and love.  So what does that look like for me?

• My words should be pure and honoring to God, unsoiled by contempt, profanity, gossip, or arrogance.

• My words should be peaceable.  So far as it depends on me, I should be at peace with all men, using my words to preserve peace, not to stir up conflict or quarrel.  

• I should be gentle to everyone, never harsh or inconsiderate.

• My speech should be reasonable - rational and fair - never bad-tempered, capricious, or difficult.

• In all my words, I should be full of mercy - compassionate, kind-hearted, generous, gracious, and forgiving. 

• My words should also be full of good fruits: profitable to all who listen, inspiring, purposeful, spiritually rich, rewarding to hear.  And all of my actions should reflect my good words.

• My word should be unwavering.  When I say something, I should say it with conviction.  People should be able to trust my word to be honest, steadfast, and resolute, not weak, dishonest, or indecisive.

• My words should always be without hypocrisy.  I must see the log in my own eye before pointing out the speck in another's eye.  I must be open to constructive criticism and always be willing to grow.

Oh Lord, may my speech bear these things!

Let us not forget:  Every word we speak, everything we say, comes out of our hearts.  I pray that we will speak in such a way that this weary, dark world will watch us and notice something beautiful and different - Christ in our lives.

* * *

Lord Jesus, You know my heart.  You see every thought in my mind and you hear every word I speak.  Please help me to glorify You with my mouth.  Use my words to bring hope, healing, encouragement, and joy to this world.  Thank you for using me and loving me despite my weaknesses.  Speak through me.  I am Yours.  Amen.

Beautiful, Wonderful Gospel

Awe-struck and humbled by the overwhelming beauty of the gospel, I sometimes express myself in poetry.  But even then, words fall short.  How great, how awesome is His Love.  Let us never forget:

Jesus, Savior, my King of kings,
He raises up this broken thing.
Molding this worthless lump of clay,
He makes me more like Him each day.

Without, I bear the marks of sin,
But now His Spirit lies within.
Once soiled and marred, I must confess,
Grace lavished on my worthlessness.

No greater love has been displayed
Than on the cross – the price He paid.
The King of Heaven, one true Prince
Bore my sin in His innocence.

Filled with anguish, crippling shame,
I am unfit to bear His Name.
Yet I am His and He is mine,
And with His beauty I may shine.
My blemishes He will not see,
Only His Son inside of me.

The daunting cliffs of life are steep
But greater still, His love is deep.
I face no challenge on my own
For I am cherished, I am known.

My life, I pray, be sweet perfume
For where He plants me, may I bloom.
Open hands, surrender my will
I’m slowly learning to be still.
Salvation’s great joy I can taste
This one short life I will not waste.

He’ll take me to His banquet hall
Even I, who am least of all.
From His love I can never hide
His own dear and beloved bride.

~by Sierra McClain