Daily Journal: 20 May

A Simple Strategy to a Happy Life

The cares of life can become engulfing. We can look into the future, we can look at the world around us, we can look at our family troubles, our finances, our health, our age, we can look at work or school and find things to worry about and be concerned with.

Matthew 6:31-34 (NLT)

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

God doesn’t want us to live in a state of anxiety. His value of life is that we look to Him to guide us on the right paths.

Proverbs 3:5-7 (NLT)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

We frequently need to step back and remedy our perspective. As I consider Him, I understand the best I can do is appreciate this life He’s given me. I know our eternal future with God is unimaginably superior to this life, but God wants me to enjoy this life, no matter its disappointments. In a present state of mind, without wishing or regretting, I can fully appreciate the people around me. Appreciate what I have. Appreciate what I can do. Appreciate God’s handiwork in it all. Serve Him in all that I do, with people, with my hands, with my heart, and be happy. It’s a simple strategy to a happy life.

Ecclesiastes 3:11-13 (NCV)

God has given them a desire to know the future. He does everything just right and on time, but people can never completely understand what he is doing. So I realize that the best thing for them is to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live. God wants all people to eat and drink and be happy in their work, which are gifts from God.

I pray we know this gift today.