When we're loving our job, doing well in school, and our lives are going pretty well overall, we're usually happy! But what happens when people let us down? When our jobs aren't satisfying?
The truth is, we can't rely on these things to be the main source of our happiness...none of these things are constant. And they aren't worthy.
Lately I've been placing way too much importance on grades and work and even my relationships. These things are all important to me, maybe importance is the wrong word, but rather, I've given them too much power over the condition of my heart. It's unfair to place that kind of responsibility on someone, because we're all human and we're naturally going to let each other down every now and then. But when the state of your relationship isn't dictating your happiness, it's easier to forgive and to still experience joy when you need it the most in the midst of an argument or rough patch. What about your job/career? We spend a lot of our lives working, so it's important to be doing something that fills you up. But it's unrealistic to think the perfect job is going to solve all of my problems.
It's just been so obvious this week how much I've been relying on essentially everything BUT God to bring happiness, because the second things don't go to plan my day turns upside down. And as frustrating as it is, I'm thankful that God reminds us of our need for Him in this way. We need God at the center of our lives so that we can do our job better, love people better, and just live a more joyful life in general. I don't know about you, but I want to be more like the little girl in the picture! I want to be able to smile that big at the littlest things.
I was watching a sermon the other day that made me realize just how messed up our priorities are. “We have come to take all those relatively minor spinoffs of devotion to Jesus (a healthy relationship, good job...blessings in general) and elevated them above the massive real pleasures of knowing Him loving Him and dying and being with Him forever. Everything’s out of proportion in typical American Christianity.”
This was so true for me this week. I've put so much focus on which internship God wants me to take, what He wants me to do in my relationships...I've turned these blessings into idols, by worrying more about making the right decisions than I worry about loving and knowing God. The bible tells us:Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.God know our needs and desires, and He is for us, so we need to trust Him on stop worrying so much about them.
