Happiness and Satisfaction - Part 2

When we seek to find satisfaction in our accomplishments, we end up pouring ourselves into the tasks that promise satisfaction but leave us wanting more. The focus of our life  centers on us instead of Christ. Chasing satisfaction, self-worth or money are all fleeting objects of worship (Eccl. 5:10). Yup, read that last sentence again...all of us have worshipped satisfaction, self-worth, money or all three! 

We need to have confidence (self-worth), but not in ourselves. Our confidence should come  from Christ living through us (Philippians 1:6, 4:13, Hebrews 4:16). We should live abundant (satisfaction) lives, but that is only found in the ways of Christ (Psalm 16:11, 17:15). We all need money to provide for ourselves and families, but chasing (loving) money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10).

In my last post, I wrote to you that finding true happiness happens when we become more and more like Jesus (Psalm 95:1-7; Matthew 5:6) not by pursuing self. Happiness comes through pursuing Christ as our priority and reminding ourselves about all He has done for us. His love for us is motivating like nothing else.

Psalm 95:1-7 invites us to remember what God has done for us and to enter into worshipping Him in community; "Come let US worship and bow down...". 

Psalm 95:8-11 warns us to not harden our hearts towards the Lord as the children of Israel did in the wilderness. 

8 The lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah,

as they did at Massah in the wilderness.

9 For there your ancestors tested and tried my patience,

even though they saw everything I did.

10 For forty years I was angry with them, and I said,

‘They are a people whose hearts turn away from me.

They refuse to do what I tell them.’

11 So in my anger I took an oath:

‘They will never enter my place of rest.’” (Psalm 95:8-11 (NLT)

The above verses are referring to Exodus 16-17. The children of Israel saw the Lord provide daily food in the form of manna and meat and yet, they did not trust Him to care for their need of water. They complained against God and even said they wish they had not left Egypt where they were slaves and poorly treated. This caused God to be disappointed with them. That generation did not experience the promised land - they lost their reward but not their relationship with Christ. 

Happiness comes when we remember and are grateful for all that Christ has done for us. Trying to create satisfaction never works for very long. Resting in Christ, trusting Him and keeping His priorities are truths that will never disappoint...but...we must believe and trust Him. Who do you trust more, your own efforts or God's priorities?

Would love to hear your thoughts!