Don't Miss Out on the Joy
Too often we say we're going to enjoy life when we accomplish a goal, when the kids are raised, when we get the promotion. Our joy is always in the future when we cross another finish line. The problem is, there's always some reason we can't be happy, something that upsets us. The key is to find joy in the journey. You're not there yet, you're still waiting for things to improve, still believing for that promise, but in the meantime you're enjoying where you are while you're on the way to where you're going. If you're so focused on finish lines, what's not working out, or trouble at the office, you'll miss the beauty of this day. You'll be too busy to play with your child. You'll be unhappy with all your spouse's flaws. You'll hate putting up with a cranky coworker. You'll miss much of your life rushing to get to the next thing.
The enemy would love to deceive us into enduring life but not enjoying life. Having children but not enjoying them. Being married but not enjoying it. Having a house, a job, and opportunities, but always having some reason we're not happy. Try a different approach. If you have the right perspective, you'll find joy in the journey. Look at all the good things in your life right now. Don't take for granted the people God has given you to love. They may not be perfect, but neither are you. Some people would love to have a spouse, to have children, to have a workplace, to have a home. What we often see as common is really uncommon. What we think is ordinary is really extraordinary.
The apostle Paul says, "Whatever things are wholesome, pure, of a good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think continually on these things" (Philippians 4:8). It's significant that he used the word "if." "If there be any virtue." He was saying you have to look for the good in your spouse, your children, your workplace, in that difficulty you're facing. How many times on our journey are we not recognizing what God is doing and what He has given us. We're so caught up in the stress of the day that we don't see how God is sustaining us, favoring us, guiding us. You have to look past all the wrongs and see the right and be grateful.
My prayer is, "God, open our eyes to see the uncommon in today's journey. Help us to not miss the miracles of the moment. Help us to appreciate the people You've given us, to enjoy the simple things, to recognize Your goodness, to be aware that You're at work. Help us to find joy in the journey."
The enemy would love to deceive us into enduring life but not enjoying life. Having children but not enjoying them. Being married but not enjoying it. Having a house, a job, and opportunities, but always having some reason we're not happy. Try a different approach. If you have the right perspective, you'll find joy in the journey. Look at all the good things in your life right now. Don't take for granted the people God has given you to love. They may not be perfect, but neither are you. Some people would love to have a spouse, to have children, to have a workplace, to have a home. What we often see as common is really uncommon. What we think is ordinary is really extraordinary.
The apostle Paul says, "Whatever things are wholesome, pure, of a good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think continually on these things" (Philippians 4:8). It's significant that he used the word "if." "If there be any virtue." He was saying you have to look for the good in your spouse, your children, your workplace, in that difficulty you're facing. How many times on our journey are we not recognizing what God is doing and what He has given us. We're so caught up in the stress of the day that we don't see how God is sustaining us, favoring us, guiding us. You have to look past all the wrongs and see the right and be grateful.
My prayer is, "God, open our eyes to see the uncommon in today's journey. Help us to not miss the miracles of the moment. Help us to appreciate the people You've given us, to enjoy the simple things, to recognize Your goodness, to be aware that You're at work. Help us to find joy in the journey."