true happiness

Ever have one of those times when you think you should share something, and you hesitate on it for a bit, until God confirms it's what He wants you to share in just about everywhere you turn?

That's what He did for this next blog post. I heard Him confirm it to me in first a fictional book I read, then a song, then in a Bible study lesson and then a verse from another Bible study. So I guess I better share it, huh?!

And the reminder He's been laying on my heart is: that it is not our circumstances or the people in our lives that we should be finding our happiness in. It is God alone that brings us true happiness--even in the darkest times of our lives. He is the only one we should be depending on to bring us true fulfillment.

If we are happy when things are going really well or because someone we love made us happy, but then become mad and start grumbling when things aren't going so well--then we need to take a long look at ourselves and our relationship with the Lord.

Even in those dark, unsettling, confusing, hurtful times--we can still find happiness. And we can find it in the fact that God is God and we are not. That He loved us enough to fight to the death for us, and that His shoulders are big enough to take on whatever we want to give up to Him.

In the last Bible study I attended, Beth Moore talked about how tightly we are in the fist of God's hand. She mentioned Isaiah 49:16, which says, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands..." try holding something in your hand as hard and tight as you can. You'll find that when you open up your fist, that object has been imprinted on your palm. So are we in God's hand.

Just thinking about that brings me peace and happiness, because it gives me such a great visual of how much God loves me and is taking care of me--even when things look tight--I know He's got me in a tighter grip.

So I encourage you all to seek God for true happiness. True peace, true love and everything else that is true. Let your hearts marinate in this scripture:

"I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him. HE ALONE is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. So many enemies against one man--all of them trying to kill me. To them I'm just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence. They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts. Let ALL that I am wait quietly before God, for my HOPE is in HIM. He ALONE is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from GOD ALONE. HE is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in Him at ALL times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:1-8

Love in Christ Jesus,
Alyssa