Got Peace and Happiness?
There are days when you have the strength to be encouraging; and then, there are days you need encouragement. The more I walk the path of life each day, I realize a couple of things. The truth be known, all of us would like a little peace and happiness each day.
Peace is so precious. We often take it for granted; until stress comes along. I’ve read that 90% of all illnesses are somehow linked to stress in our lives. If peace counteracts stress, then how do we get peace? I have found the preferred way of finding peace - Jesus.
The Apostle Paul said, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7, NIV)." What’s very interesting about this is the fact that Paul was in prison when he wrote this. Yet somehow he found peace that transcends all understanding.
And what about happiness? We all want it; even a small dose of it in our everyday life. So how do we get it? In my early years of ministry I read a ton of books on happiness. These I used to help counsel and console people. Perhaps the best book I read was entitled, Happiness is a Choice. What a revelation!
A few years back I heard the testimony of a famous Christian singer who went through a rough time in his life. He fell into a deep, dark pit of depression for about two years. Doctors were baffled as to cause and treatment.
He went on medication, but that didn’t help. He tried to do the things he loved like writing and singing; but that didn’t help either. For two years, he laid on the couch and watched television.
Then one day something happen. He “reconnected” with Jesus and discovered a truth that set him free. He said to himself, "I’ve been happy…and I’ve been sad. I like happy, better." Immediately, his depression left, and he was back singing around the world.
Peace and happiness may seem out of reach at times; especially in our daily life. However, they may be only a single prayer and a decision away from reality.
