Day 18 – Fit For Life Challenge

Happy Day 18! 😀 Speaking of happy .. would you describe yourself as a happy person? Would other people describe you as generally happy? What does that even mean to you anyway? It could mean fulfilled, joyful, blessed, content, positive, or cheerful. Did you know that being happy can have major health benefits? Studies have actually shown that being happy can reduce stress, boost your immune system, and promote a healthy lifestyle! I mean, who doesn’t want to be happy? If you ask people what they really want in life, many will say they just want to be happy. We all have a void in our life that can only be filled by Jesus. He is the only real, true, solid source of happiness,( fulfillment, contentment, joy). Everyone’s searching for happiness. He is the answer! The world tells us if we can just be rich enough, beautiful enough, have the perfect relationship, a better job, and the list goes on… we will finally be happy. But the truth is, nothing brings contentment and happiness and peace of mind except living within God’s will. Until we experience THAT satisfaction, the grass will always be greener in someone else’s yard! People search their whole lives and go chasing after happiness with material things, romance, adventures, etc. While those things can provide fleeting happiness, as human beings, our nature is to want more, or something better. We are never satisfied. Our only satisfaction, contentment and true happiness is found in the Lord. In Him, we find no guilt, shame, or condemnation! We find pure acceptance and amazing confidence in Him!

Perhaps the Bible’s expert on contentment and true happiness, was Paul. Ironic though, because he had been beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, slandered, and persecuted, but he had learned that life’s outward circumstances do not have to dictate our inner peace. In Philippians 4:11-13, he said,”I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength.”
Paul was living on a higher plane. His fulfillment, contentment and worth were all found in Christ alone. He realized that he could be content in every situation with the strength of Christ. I’ll say it again.. get this… he had learned that life’s outward circumstances do not have to dictate inner peace. We will probably never have to go through all the trials and persecution that Paul faced, but we all have troubles. We are living in a world that can be so messed up , but we can have inner peace and happiness. Yes we all experience loss, pain, and sorrow in this life. But when our hope is built on Christ, we know that deep inner sense of joy and peace that only comes from a life devoted to Him! Paul said ,” I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” All things! When your happiness is based on Him, you will experience all the emotions this life will bring on, but your true joy and happiness will be unshakable! UNSHAKABLE! Jesus is the solid rock! All other ground is sinking sand!

You know, it’s sad, but most people merely exist. When a person clings to Christ and hangs on, they truly LIVE! Being a Christian, really walking with Him daily, finding your confidence in Him, trusting Him, is an adventure! What’s holding you back from going all in and experiencing true happiness, peace and joy? I can tell you, there’s no life like it!

Action Step 18👇🏼👇🏼
Today, replace 30 minutes of time you would normally be looking at social media or watching the news and read the Bible. Don’t know where to start? Ask God to show you. If you want my advice, if you haven’t read the Bible lately, start in Matthew. Read about Jesus’ life on this Earth. Get to know Him again. Let the adventure begin!