There are many people in this world who believe that their happiness and sense of peace lies somewhere in their future after they have reached a certain goal or overcome a trial or challenge in their life. They don't see that happiness, joy, peace, serenity and calm all already lie within their being waiting to be utilized. What we must realize and understand is that we don't have to wait for an event to take place before we can have joy and peace in our life. The Bible declares in Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.” When we keep our eyes focused on the Lord, we won't allow the discouragements, the setbacks, the trials and tribulations to make us lose our peace. We will know by faith that the victory is ours no matter what the situation may look like right now. When we hold on to our peace, we are standing in our faith proclaiming that nothing can come our way that will make us worry or fear what the future holds. (2 Timothy 1:7) (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Be encouraged to take a hold of your peace and joy right now. Don't wait for a future event because that time will never come. There will always be a new challenge, a new trial, a new setback; so instead of postponing our happiness, we should each receive it right now right where we stand and give thanks to the Lord for His sustenance and provision over our life. We must always remember that God's love for us is pure and without motive. The Lord waits patiently as a loving Father for us to call upon Him and share with Him all that is burdening us. The Bible declares in Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Matthew 11:28-30) (Psalm 145:7-9)

I hope this message ministers to your heart to see that your joy and peace are waiting for you to take a hold of them right now.


ALREADY THERE

For a long time I saw happiness as a huge banner across the finish line of a long race. I felt that only when I accomplished certain things could I finally relax and be happy in my life. Most of the time I felt like the tortoise hoping that "slow and steady would win the race." At other times I would act like a crazed hare trying different side roads at breakneck speeds hoping to reach that banner a little faster. Gradually, though, I began to see that no matter how long I raced towards it the banner was never any closer. I finally decided one day to sit down and take a break. It was then that I saw my happiness sitting beside me. It had been with me all along. 

It had been with me as I played basketball as a child. It had been with me as I learned in school. It had been with me as I worked minimum wage jobs mopping floors, doing dishes, and carrying lumber. It had been with me as I held each of my newborn children in my arms. It had been with me as I struggled with my sons’ autism and learned to love them for just who they are. It had been with me when I was sick. It had been with me when I didn’t have a cent to my name. It had been with me as I raced towards that stupid banner. I just hadn’t had the wisdom to see it. 

There is an old Chinese proverb that says, “Tension is what you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.” Perhaps we all should stop our race towards the perfect life we think we should have and rejoice in the life we have now. Happiness will never be found under some banner far away. It will be found in your own heart, soul, and mind. It will be found when you realize that God loves you just as you are and that you can choose and share love and joy as well. Don’t be a determined tortoise or a chaotic hare when it comes to your happiness. Be a playful puppy and carry your stick of joy with you everywhere you go. Take yourself out of the race and realize that when it comes to love and happiness you are already there. 

By Joseph J. Mazzella


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

Psalm 37:3-6 “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.”

Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. 


Today's Selected Poem: TEN RULES FOR A HAPPY DAY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem133.htm

Today’s Selected Testimony: AN ANGEL BY MY SIDE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony194.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry