Many people in the world believe that Christians are doomed to an ascetic lifestyle. In their view, we are not supposed to have any enjoyment whatsoever in our lives. We plod through an unhappy existence here on earth, expecting happiness only in the hereafter.
Fortunately, the Scriptures paint a far different picture. While this world is certainly not our home, God does want us to enjoy a happy life here on the earth. He has provided us all the ingredients and instructions we need to obtain what He calls an abundant life (John 10:10). It is up to us to break the eggs and make the omelet. Too often, it seems that we let the pressures and problems of daily life get us down and that thief, the Devil, mentioned in John 10:10, steals our abundant life from us. We end up living exactly the kind of life the world expects.
The quality of your life is ultimately in your hands. Although you receive stimulus and input from your particular activities and circumstances, you alone decide how they will affect you. We all undergo trials and tribulations. They are unique to no one. What is to be unique is our attitude toward them as Christians. If we dwell on how someone may have treated us poorly, slighted us, did not call or visit when we were sick, or, in general, did not treat us how we wanted to be treated, we ruin our lives. We are the ones who refuse to forget about these things and insist on keeping them around to fuel our anger and misery. We are in control of our own attitudes. No one else is. If we become angry and bitter, it is our fault, and only we can correct it. In fact, we must correct it! God insists that we do.
Check your branch and the type and amount of fruit growing on it. Are they sweet apples or sour grapes? If they are sour grapes, change them! Forget the past. If someone treated you poorly, FORGET IT! If you say, “I can’t,” what you are really saying is, “I won’t.” God says that you can (Philippians 4:13). Forget negative events and move on. Forget them and treat those involved in them the way that you wish they had treated you. Life is too short to spend in misery, and there is too much to do. If we keep our eyes off ourselves and on the Lord and each other, we WILL have life and have it abundantly.
Scott
Fortunately, the Scriptures paint a far different picture. While this world is certainly not our home, God does want us to enjoy a happy life here on the earth. He has provided us all the ingredients and instructions we need to obtain what He calls an abundant life (John 10:10). It is up to us to break the eggs and make the omelet. Too often, it seems that we let the pressures and problems of daily life get us down and that thief, the Devil, mentioned in John 10:10, steals our abundant life from us. We end up living exactly the kind of life the world expects.
The quality of your life is ultimately in your hands. Although you receive stimulus and input from your particular activities and circumstances, you alone decide how they will affect you. We all undergo trials and tribulations. They are unique to no one. What is to be unique is our attitude toward them as Christians. If we dwell on how someone may have treated us poorly, slighted us, did not call or visit when we were sick, or, in general, did not treat us how we wanted to be treated, we ruin our lives. We are the ones who refuse to forget about these things and insist on keeping them around to fuel our anger and misery. We are in control of our own attitudes. No one else is. If we become angry and bitter, it is our fault, and only we can correct it. In fact, we must correct it! God insists that we do.
Check your branch and the type and amount of fruit growing on it. Are they sweet apples or sour grapes? If they are sour grapes, change them! Forget the past. If someone treated you poorly, FORGET IT! If you say, “I can’t,” what you are really saying is, “I won’t.” God says that you can (Philippians 4:13). Forget negative events and move on. Forget them and treat those involved in them the way that you wish they had treated you. Life is too short to spend in misery, and there is too much to do. If we keep our eyes off ourselves and on the Lord and each other, we WILL have life and have it abundantly.
Scott
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