sound mind | considering the word

Pr. 16:20: “He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.”

There has always seemed to be the ultimate search for happiness all around us. “Do what makes you happy.” “Hey! As long as your happy.” “But I’m not happy.” Happiness is one of those goals that is chased with great fervor.

Well, folks, the answer to truly being happy has finally arrived: trusting in the Lord. “Whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.”

Now, how do we do that? The answer comes before that. We heed His Word wisely. His Word tells us that He will never leave us nor forsake us, so do we need to walk around feeling like we are all alone in this world? No. That feeling will make us sad, for sure. Knowing the truth will make us happy.

Do we need to walk around weighed down with worry about our needs never being met? No. We can give to the Lord, trusting that He will honor His Word and give back to us pressed down, shaken together, and running over. (Luke 6:38) We will be happy, knowing that our needs are in the hands of our Provider.

If we are heeding the Word wisely we also won’t need to walk around burdened by fear. We will find happiness in the fact that He did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Ti. 1:7) In fact, we will also be able to trust that He can deliver us from all our fears, because Ps. 34:4 tells us, “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” If that doesn’t make us happy, I don’t know what can!

The joy of the Lord is still our strength. He has not and does not changed. That is great cause for happiness. In fact, I think it’s fitting to say it’s even a reason to rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! …Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Ph. 4:4,6

So, the point is that if you know what God has said, you trust in it, and you make your requests known to Him, He will guard your heart and mind with peace and that will lead to what? Happiness!

Don’t worry, y’all. Be happy, in the Lord!

jamie

Pr. 21:25-26: “The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.”

The first example that comes to my mind pertains to losing weight. How many times have we heard people wish out loud (or perhaps done it ourselves) that they would eat better and lose weight.

“Oh, it’s frustrating being overweight.” “I need to start eating better.” “I wish I could wear clothes like that, run a 5k, or have that much energy.” The list goes on and on.

Stating the desire out loud can cause deep sorrow or depression when the one speaking it knows they will do nothing to achieve that goal. It may seem like dreaming the impossible dream.

The reality; however, is that by making the decision to put forth the labor, the weight could in fact come off. Deciding that the desire is worth the effort, one could finally begin to say no to unhealthy foods and yes to healthy choices.

There are lots of examples of this: saving money, getting out of debt, reading the Bible more, taking time for ourselves each day, spending more time with family, learning that hobby we’ve been dreaming about, beginning a foundation, joining a ministry…the list could go on and on.

What is it that you’ve been desiring, but feeling as if it were an impossible dream?

Ask The Lord to help you. Nothing is impossible for God, and with Him all things are possible. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

As Christians, we must remember that God did not give us a spirit of fear. There is nothing we can’t do with God on our side. God gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind.

A sound mind. When we decide our desire is worth the labor, and we ask The Lord to help us, we can grasp that desire with hands full of power. We do not have live under the heaviness of unfulfilled desires. We can reach out, through God, and see our desires come to life.

Today is the day when we can begin the labor that will see our desire fulfilled! Ask God to help, and let’s get to work.

Laboring,

jamie