2 Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in
weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am
weak, then I am
strong.
God does want all of us to be happy. It is God's desire that each of us live in HIs kingdom here and now. HIs kingdom is a matter of love and joy and peace in the holy spirit. I am not strong. God is. I can do all things through God who gives me strength. Including thanking God for all things and wanting what I have and whatever I receive.
The key to being happy isn't receiving what you want but wanting what you have. It is difficult for us to want things we don't like or things that are painful or even frightening. I am going to find a story I wrote a few years ago that fits into this topic.
My Favorite Thing
Excerpts from a Dog's Diary:
..8:00 am - Dog food!...My favorite thing!
..9:30 am - A car ride!...My favorite thing!
..9:40 am - A walk in the park!...My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted!...My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch!...My favorite thing!
..1:00 pm - Played in the yard!...My favorite thing!
..3:00 pm - Wagged my tail!...My favorite thing!
..5:00 pm - Milk Bones!...My favorite thing!
..7:00 pm - Got to play ball!...My favorite thing!
..8:00 pm - Wow! TV with the people!...My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed!...My favorite thing!
It made me smile and also so grateful for my dog Peanut. She is so happy and just like this diary whatever she is doing she is happy and enthusiastic. I considered, how amazing must a life be; when each thing we do is our favorite thing?
Then I began to think of my own diary...REad Gods word...My favorite thing. Prayed To God...My faorite thing!!! Fellowshipped with my christian friends...My favorite thing!!! moved a cabinet, My favorite thing!!(maybe not)! watched tv...My favorite thing. Missed my children(very very hard)...My favorite thing!!!
I ran into a snare though. I was in tremendous pain today and I thought, "Experienced extreme physical pain, definitely not my favorite thing." So I prayed and God reminded me of this verse; "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit"(Romans 15:13?)
Fill me with Joy and peace as i Trust in him. I have trusted God for my pain and my disability and even thanked him for it(Galatians 5:20) but it was difficult for me to find joy in this. As I prayed I understood, God has allowed this in my life and will use it for his purpose. (Romans 8:28) I can speak truthfully now, suffered horrendous back pain today...My favorite thing!Praise Our God who is all powerful and in everything works for our good. My Joy is indeed full and overflowing. It is my prayer that everyone who reads this also receive the same abundance of blessing God has given me.
You see, I believe God is in control. I believe God uses all things for my good. I trust God beyond my own thinking and beyond my own wants or desires. This is the question I often pose to my brothers and sisters: what would you be willing to suffer if you knew your suffering would make a difference in one person being saved or not. God knows my answer. Not only am I willing to suffer, but I trust God to make very good use of my suffering and how could I not rejoice?
Rejoice in the Lord always.