We can
develop habits over time to create more joy in our life and to eliminate
depression and melancholy. However, it takes a change of focus and total
submission to God's Holy Spirit.
Many people
live in the realm of "what ifs" and/or wanting what they do not have.
They think that happiness will finally arrive when they accomplish their bucket
list.
We allow
circumstances to color our thoughts and feelings, which may diminish our joy.
We wait for God to answer our prayers rather than to enjoy the life, which He
already provided for us.
His peace
and joy are available for us each moment of the day and do not depend on
circumstances. It is possible to live in an economically depressed area with
impoverished circumstances and still have total peace and joy.
There is no
guarantee that we will live to see the next moment in time; so focusing on
having possessions or certain people in our life will reduce our peace and joy.
Without surrendering our will to God's will each moment of the day, we
hinder our effectiveness both in life and in our spiritual growth and ministry.
Once we repent of our sins and recognize Jesus as our only Savior and
King, the very life of Christ saturates our entire body, soul and spirit. As
His Spirit sanctifies us, we see more spiritual fruit and less of a draw from
our flesh, Satan and the world.
The most critical exercise we can do as a baby Christian is to
surrender our will to God's will. Even as older Christians, if we never
surrendered, it is time to do so now.
When we totally surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ over our life,
we feel less and less tension and stress, and more and more of His rest, peace
and joy.
Prayer:
Father God, we tend to
regret the past and fear the future. We spend so much time focusing in these two
directions that we waste the current moment. This moment in time is all that
You guarantee us.
You forgave
our past, and it is over and forgiven. We just have to remember to forgive our
self too. Remind us that once we do surrender to You, Your Spirit begins replacing
our negative personality traits with His spiritual fruit and You flood our
spirit and soul with Your love.
Thought for
the Day:
Our future
is in God's capable hands; therefore, trusting God in the moment provides us
with a stress-free life.
