It’s so tempting to believe that abundant life can come from something other than the life God has ordained for us.
When we feel that we’ve lost it, we travel down dark paths looking for a joy that doesn’t exist there. We consider new locations, new relationships, new addictions, new purchases, new careers and new experiences as we hope for that elusive joy we seek but can never grasp.
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that happiness, while wonderful, is not sustainable. It’s fleeting and when we lose it there’s a temptation to fall apart, to blame God, to sink into despair.
When that temptation comes your way, remember Jesus offers greater joy than whatever it is you’re seeking satisfaction from. Consider Psalm 4 and how the writer proclaims in verses 6-7 (English Standard Version):
There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.
We don’t need to chase things we imagine will bring life and happiness. We can rest in Jesus’ promise that He has come so “that [we] may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10, ESV).
Yet we compromise in countless areas, all because we want something that we truly believe will satisfy the longing of our hearts.
The truth? What we seek is found only in God.
God alone gives us the fulfillment of all our hopes and dreams and is the giver of the “shalom” peace our heart needs. Trust Him in this, the one “who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17, ESV).
Trust in Jesus, who is so great, so amazing, so utterly fantastic that Peter left “everything” — everything! — to follow Him (Luke 5:11, ESV).
See also:
When You Feel Like Joy is Out of Reach
About the Author: Heather is a mother of two, a graduate of the University of Virginia and holds a doctorate in English literature from the University of Michigan. She and her husband, Ashley, serve as staff members with Cru. Heather is the author of “Seated with Christ: Living Freely in a Culture of Comparison” (Moody Publishers) and continues to write books on her favorite verses in Scripture. Her forthcoming book, “Chosen for Christ: Stepping Into the Life You've Been Missing,” is available fall 2018.
Original article link: http://heatherholleman.com/2017/09/always-remember-greater-joy/
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