Thank you for visiting. We trust that you have enjoyed reading our articles.
Obstacles to Joy
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).
We all have stress and anxiety. These are obstacles to the happiness that we all seek. I think what is important is how we deal with these obstacles. A little bit of stress is natural and no problem. It can be helpful and protect us from dangerous situations.
Regardless of the source of our stress, we as Christians have a proven method to rid ourselves of it but it takes courage and faith. The Apostle Paul wrote, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Think about that for a moment – a peace that surpasses all understanding. Below are a few thoughts that hopefully will help us all find that peace and navigate the obstacles to happiness.
1.
Make peace with your past so it won’t impede your present and future.
Everybody has regrets from their past. Our hindsight is always 20/20. Your past is your testimony today and not your destiny for tomorrow. The enemy will constantly seek to remind you of your past failures to rob you of the joy that God wants you to enjoy today. God wants to give us a future with hope. “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
2.
Do no worry about what others think of you.
Teenagers are often obsessed with what others think of them. As adults we also want to fit in and be held in high esteem. Our identify does not come from our social media profiles, gossip of others, or even the support of others. Our identify comes from Jesus. The Bible states, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).
3.
There is an old saying that time heals all wounds. This is not from the Bible but is generally true in my experience. Some wounds are healed within days, others years, and others are healed upon death. We often struggle with patience while we wait. The Psalmist wrote, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). God will heal us mentally and physically in His perfect time, not ours.
4.
Do no allow others to control your happiness.
We let others control our happiness when we worry about what others think of us or when we are jealous because of the success of a neighbor. Our true joy is based on the fact that we are children of God. You will always have people that gossip about you behind your back. That is their burden to carry, not yours. We are blessed when we “learn to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11).
5.
Avoid comparisons to others.
Jealousy is a terrible emotion and a favorite tool of the enemy. If somebody else has success, we should celebrate with them. God does not have a finite number of blessings to bestow. The Parable of the Lost Coin in Luke 15:8-10 tells of a woman that has lost a coin but sweeps the house in search of it. “And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin” (Luke 15:9). Surely, we should rejoice and not be jealous when God’s favor is on our neighbor. Don’t we want them to join us in times of celebration also?
Prayer: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).
Meet the Author
Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
We welcome your comments below.
Liked this post?
Read more below or search for more topics...
-
Can saying ‘No’ please God?
Can saying ‘No’ please God? “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV). Each day we all get asked by others to do things. Some tasks are fun, some are mundane, and some are someplace in the middle. Service to others is an important way in which we show the love of Christ. Service is ministry. Service is important.I struggle with saying “no” to help people, especially when the request is... -
Attention Fathers! Little Eyes Are Watching
Attention Fathers! Little Eyes Are Watching “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:18 ESV). Theodore and Nancy Faust Sizer authored the book The Students are Watching. The Sizers wrote about classrooms and schools, explaining that students learn from what their teachers do and say, and also from the things their teachers do not do or say. One significant finding from the book was “They watch us all the time. The students, that is. They listen to us sometimes. They learn from all that watching and listening.” Children are also learning... -
What Can Grasshoppers and Mustard Seeds Teach Us About Fear?
What Can Grasshoppers and Mustard Seeds Teach Us About Fear? “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV). Fear is our natural response to physical or emotional danger. Fear can be healthy to help us avoid dangerous situations. We often fear situations that are not as serious as we perceive, which can trigger an extreme, and often unnecessary, fight-flight-or-freeze response. As a result, we may find ourselves avoiding challenges that could benefit them in the long run or hanging back during social...