by Tracy | Bad Day Blues, Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy, Warfare
“God will show me the path of life; In His Presence is the fullness of joy; At His right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 NKJV
*Lately, I have been on a quest to add more fun into my life. I realized that I needed additional fun when my husband and I went to see a romantic comedy at the movie theater and after the movie I could not control the tears that ran down my face. My husband looked at me totally perplexed (ladies, you know the look), he assumed that after viewing a fun, romantic comedy, I would feel encouraged and uplifted, but instead a deep sense of sadness filled my heart. I felt as if I was “missing out,” that everyone else was having fun, except me (do you hear the violin playing? LOL). And so began my quest for FUN!!!
The next day my husband and I sat down and made a list of the things we considered, “fun.” Of course, our lists were completely different! My husband, who is a ex-paratrooper and Golden Knight for the Army, listed various adventures, such as: jumping from planes, mountain biking, getting his pilots license, watching Brave Heart and Blackhawk Down. My list consisted of things such as: more girlfriend time, dinner parties, buying new shoes and travel.
So my husband began watching his war movies, doing his “guy stuff” and I bought some new pair of shoes (sorry honey), met girlfriends for coffee and together we hosted a few dinner parties, but these activities DID NOT SATISFY our desire within.
Finally, one morning during my quiet time with God, I asked Him why we were having such difficultly implementing fun into our lives?
Then God led me to Psalm 16:11:
“God will show me the path of life; In His Presence is the fullness of joy; At His right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
The truth is, nothing on earth will bring us eternal joy. Don’t get me wrong, a mountain bike and new shoes are great, but both will eventually end up in the junk yard!
The truth is, we were looking for fun in all the wrong places! Only the Lord can provide the JOY that can satisfy your soul. Fun is fleeting, but JOY is eternal.
EXTREME JOY is only found in God’s Presence, JOY is seeing God bring breakthrough and healing into people’s lives, JOY is telling people about Jesus and how good HE is!!
As Psalm 16 sank into my spirit, a smile spread across my face. I found what I had been longing for in the Word of God. My quest had been fulfilled! That following weekend, my husband and I hosted a Bible study and I sensed God’s Presence in our home. As I looked around the room I thought to myself, “NOW THIS IS FUN!”
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for looking to the world to bring joy and satisfaction into my life. Nothing this world offers can bring me eternal peace. It is only in Your Presence that I am filled with supernatural joy. And this joy is not dependent on my circumstances. I choose to no longer look for fun in all the wrong places, for it is only in Your Presence that I am filled to overflowing! Amen.
*A Published Article by Tracy Hurst, “Atlanta Christian Chronicle”, June, 2004
by Tracy | Bad Day Blues, Tuesdays With Tracy
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5
“If God is for you, who can be againtst you? “
Romans 8:31
Have you ever felt utterly alone in this world and wondered if anyone out there was on your side? I have experienced this. The truth is, we can be smiling on the outside and standing in the middle of a huge crowd, yet on the inside suffer the depths of loneliness. When loneliness knocks on our door, we can either open the door to self-pity and despair or run to God and His Word.
The only thing that gets me through times of feeling alone (real or perceived) is knowing that God is ALWAYS with me. Each of us at one time or another will feel misunderstood and lonesome, but there is great comfort awaiting us through our relationship with Jesus. The question is: to what or whom will run to?
No matter what you are going through at this time you can rest in the truth that God will never leave you nor forsake you. God is always for you. Your career maybe falling apart or a friend may have just let you down, but Jesus is always for you. He is the only One who can fill every void in your soul. He can be your husband, mother, father, friend, healer, friend and His love is unconditional. In earthly relationships there are often conditions put upon us, but with God there are no strings attached!
So run to God today. Tell Him how you feel and thank Him for always being there for you. Let us remember that God is only a prayer away.
Prayer:
“Lord, thank You for Your unconditional love. No matter what is going on I can always count on You. You are for me and not against me and Your love is amazing. May I rest today in the fact that You are always with me. Amen.”
